Sweet Home pulls Jekyll and Hyde routine

The Sweet Home girls basketball team played like two different teams in a span of 24 hours.

Last Thursday, the Lady Panthers won convincingly over Frontier, 61-32, at home then dropped a 43-36 non-league road game at Kenmore West on Friday.

Coincidentally, Sweet Home (7-13, 5-8) seeded sixth in the Section VI Class AA playoffs, hosted 11th-seed Kenmore West on Tuesday in the prequarterfinals. Results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. The winner plays at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lancaster.

Against Frontier, Sweet Home coach Matt LaRoach said his team played much better defensively which led to easy transition points.

"I thought that we played pretty well for four full quarters," said LaRoach. "When we bring passion and intensity to the gym, so many good things happen for us. I am pleased with the fact that we were able to pick up this important league win."

Sweet Home extended a 15-8 first quarter lead to 33-18 by halftime. Frontier cut the deficit to, 41-32, after the third quarter but the Lady Panthers outscored their opponent, 20-6, in the fourth quarter.

Sweet Home was led by Ellie Allen's 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Kiaya Burks added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Coretta Davis and Laura Nerber each scored eight points a piece. Frontier was led by Allie Tenebruso's 18 points.

LaRoach said missed opportunities and foul trouble was Sweet Home's problems against Kenmore West.

"We had our chances, we just did not capitalize and then we found ourselves out of position and in foul trouble," said LaRoach. "I was overwhelmed by the amount of missed shots, layups, and put backs that we didn't finish. To add salt to the wound, we were in foul trouble and somehow still in a position to win the game."

Kenmore West led after every quarter, leading, 8-7, after the first quarter, 16-14, at halftime, and, 30-25, after the third quarter.

Allen scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, Nerber scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Burks scored five points and hauled in eight rebounds.

"I thought Laura Nerber and Gleniesha Ferby were our best two players on the floor," said LaRoach. "They just gave us great minutes and unfortunately the two girls that were playing so well both fouled out of the game."

Ken West was led by Holly Przybysz's 15 points.