Ider Lady Hornets win County Championship

Ider Lady Hornets win County Championship
Ider Lady Hornets win County Championship
Hannah Culpepper, tournament MVP, goes for the score against Sylvania

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

Ider 81-Sylvania 58

RAINSVILLE, Ala.- The Sylvania Rams (17-7) met the Ider Hornets (15-8) in the Dekalb County Tournament championship game on Thursday, January 28, 2016.  Inclement weather had forced the game to be postponed for nearly a week.  Excitement was in the air as the game began.  Students and fans from both schools packed the stands to support their teams.  This was a get-there-early so you can get good seat kind of ballgame.

Sylvania  came into the game as the top seed of the tournament. During the first quarter Sylvania and Ider  were equally matched in the first half.  With 6:16 left on the clock in the first quarter, #12 Senior Lauren King, had her first of three pointers for the night to give the Rams the lead, 5-2.  Ider’s #24, Senior Makenzie Hughes answered back with the first of her four three’s for the night, to tie the ballgame.  #2, Junior Hannah Culpepper took a final shot before the end of the first to give Ider the 23-22 lead.

The second quarter saw a completely equal matchup with both teams scoring 17 points.  Ider Senior, #11 Dani Townson hit a three to end the quarter with Ider in the lead,  42-39.

During the third quarter, Ider took the 60-44 lead over Sylvania due to the expert shooting of Culpepper and Townson.

Ider Lady Hornets win County Championship
Ider cutting the net after their victory over Sylvania

Ider came into the ballgame as the underdog but showed what teamwork can accomplish as they outscored the Lady Rams in the fourth, 21-14 to seal their victory. They had many obstacles to overcome to get the win.  The main one being the enthusiastic fans from Sylvania that were seated directly behind their bench. The fans came in complete costumes to support their team. Some as super heros, sports reporters, and even Fred Flintstone.  Ider forced a total of 22 turnovers and also had ten 3 pointers.  Townson led Ider with 23 points.  Culpepper was named the tournament MVP and finished the night with 17 points.  “Our girls executed very well.  They stuck to the game plan and maintained focus” Ider Head Coach Mark McMahon stated.  When asked how it felt to play next door neighbor in the finale  Coach McMahon said, “I am very respectful of Sylvania and their coaching staff.”

Sylvania had two players to score in the double digits.  Senior #20, Morgan Frazier had 19 points and four assists.  Lauren King finished the night with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and shot three three point shots.