The Macomb High girls basketball team was aiming to make a statement against West Hancock Thursday evening at Washington Street Gym.
The visiting Titans ended up doing the majority of the talking on the court however, dominating the middle quarters on the way to a 63-42 non-conference victory over the Bombers.
West Hancock improved to 7-1 on the season, while Macomb slipped to 6-5.
Both teams are scheduled to play in the Lady Tiger Classic in Beardstown that begins Dec. 26. The Titans were selected by coaches as the No. 3 seed, while the Bombers were selected as the No. 8 seed.
West Hancock ran out to an 11-4 lead in the opening minutes. But Macomb answered with an 8-0 run that was capped by a Reese Watson three-pointer that gave the Bombers a 12-11 lead.
But West Hancock ended the quarter with a 9-1 run the gave the Titans the lead for good at 20-13.
“We got off to a really good start and then all of a sudden we just kind of relaxed a little bit,” said West Hancock coach Jerry Jerome. “Macomb got into us a little bit and I think our girls got pissed off a little bit and then we made some runs and got going.”
The visitors doubled up the Bombers in the second period, outscoring the hosts 16-8 in building a 36-21 halftime advantage.
Macomb had just three baskets in the frame, including a pair of treys by Watson. Meanwhile Jadyn Climer had a pair of threes, scoring 10 points for the Titans.
“They’re more athletic and taller than any team we’ve played so far except maybe Illini Bluffs,” said MHS coach Justin Elbe of West Hancock. “And they’re just so skilled offensively.”
West Hancock put the contest away in the third period, outscoring the Bombers 23-10 in building a 59-31 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
Watson topped Macomb with 17 points that included five three-pointers. Sophie Wilson also finished in double figures, scoring 10 points.
Aubrey Holthaus added seven points, followed by Jordan Hines with four points. Dakota Thorman and Destiny Monroe added two points apiece for the Bombers.
West Hancock had three players finish in double figures, led by Climer’s 22 points.
Maci Haas added 18 points and Grace Grothaus 14 for the Titans.
Lauren Stevenson chipped in seven and Scarlet Yuskis two for the visitors.
“I thought our defense was really good,” said Jerome. “We’re not going to give you much in the paint. You’re going to have to shoot the ball from the outside.” The JV contest saw Macomb dominate the first and third quarters on the way to a 41-26 victory.
Macomb grabbed a 10-5 in the opening period as Taylor Mann and Brooklyn Lyles each scored four points.
Both teams scored six points in the second period, leaving MHS with a 16-11 halftime lead.
The third frame saw Macomb score 18 points, including 11 by Kinley Sloan. Lyles also scored six points as the Bombers expanded their lead to 34-20 entering the final frame.
Lyles topped MHS with 13 points, followed by Sloan’s 11. Mann added five points and Grace O’Hern four for the Bombers, while Watson, Josie Elbe, Olivia Clark and CeCe Jones chipped in two points apiece.
Taylynn Denning topped West Hancock with 12 points. The Bombers open play in Beardstown on Dec. 26 at noon against the winner of the 9 a.m. contest that has No. 9 seed Dwight (10-3) facing No. 24 seed Barry Western (3-8).
“It’s going to be a tough task,” said Elbe of likely facing Dwight. “It’s a tough draw, but I’m OK with that. we’ve got to play who we’ve got to play.”
The tournament continues Dec. 27 and 29 before concluding on Dec. 30.
