Lady Coalers struggle in first I-8 loss

    The Coal City varsity girls basketball team couldn’t keep pace with  Plano Monday night, as they suffered a 61-39 loss in conference action.
    The Lady Coalers (2-5 overall, 0-1 conference) matched the Reapers through the first quarter, as both teams recorded 10 points.
    Unfortunately, the second frame would set the pace for the remainder of the game, as Plano amassed 25 points to Coal City’s eight, holding a 35-18 lead at half-time.
    The Lady Coalers were unable to close the gap in the second half, as Plano continued to outscore, 26-21 through the final two quarters.
    Makenna Crater had a solid outing for the offense though, going 2-for-3 from inside and 3-for-6 from the perimeter to finish with a team-high, 13 points.
    She was followed by Bridget Kauzlaric and Olivia Skubic, who added nine and seven points, respectively.
    Lindsay Stopka and Brooke Chapman both earned four points, and Sydney Carlos rounded out the effort with two points.
    Chapman led the team in rebounds, finishing with seven boards.
    The Lady Coalers will hit the road again on Thursday for another conference match-up with Manteno. They will return home on Tuesday to host Wilmington.
Coal City 36,
Beecher 26
    The Lady Coalers finished off tournament action this past Tuesday night, as they defeated Beecher in their final game, finishing the Ladycat Fall Classic with a record of 2-3.
    After losing to St. Laurence on Monday, Coal City managed to bounce back the following night, and found added help with an explosive fourth quarter.
    “We ended the tournament by closing out the game in the fourth quarter,” said Schmitt. “I’m hoping this gives us a little edge as we enter our regular season play.”
    The Lady Coalers remained level with Beecher through the first three quarters, as both teams’ offenses managed to score the same amount of points down the stretch.
    Coal City and Beecher both recorded five points in the first, eight in the second, and seven more in the third quarter, entering the final frame level, 20-20.
    Coal City finally came alive in the fourth though, scoring 10-unanswered points on Beecher to walk away with the win.
    The offense was led by Kauzlaric, who went 4-for-4 from inside, and hit four of her seven free-throws. She finished with 12 points on the night.
    Crater added seven points, while Skubic and Chapman both followed with four points.
    Stopka chipped in with three, and Sam Olson rounded out the efffort with two points.
    Kauzlaric and Stopka also led the team in rebounds, finishing with seven and six boards, respectively.
    Crater was also named to the Beecher Fall Classic’s All-Tournament team.