Getting Defensive
JEFFERSON TWP — After what it was putting up earlier this season, Freeport's offense has cooled off significantly.
The team's defense, however, continues to bring the heat.
The Yellowjackets forced 21 turnovers and held an opponent to under 40 points for the fifth time this season while earning a crucial 47-39 Section 1-4A girls basketball victory Thursday at Knoch.
Freeport recently managed a stretch of five straight games of scoring at least 65 points, but the 'Jackets' last two games — including a 34-28 win over Apollo-Ridge on Monday — have yielded a combined 81 points.
“Our scoring is down, but we missed some layups tonight,” said Freeport coach Fred Soilis. We also had (18) turnovers and that's too many. Our goal was to give up no more than 34 points tonight and we allowed a few more than we wanted. We got the win, though, and that's the most important thing.”
Samantha Clark, who scored 10 points in the win, played a key role in Freeport's defense.
“We didn't shoot the ball well tonight and we definitely didn't shoot well against Apollo-Ridge,” Clark said, “but we're confident that our defense can still give us a chance to win.
“We're aggressive all the time on defense and we are very athletic.”
In defeat, Knoch held an offense capable of scoring in bunches to well below its season average of 64 per game.
“We are encouraged by the performance,” Knoch coach Chris Andreassi said, “but not accepting of it. Moral victories don't show up in the win column.
“We appreciate the girls' effort,” he added, “but there are still things we need to clean up.”
Both teams entered the game with a 4-1 section record. The 'Jackets (9-2, 5-1) are now in sole possession of second place behind North Catholic.
“Our number one goal is to tie North Catholic for the section title,” said Soilis, “or at least finish second and win enough games to get one of the top four seeds.”
It's not that Freeport didn't hit big shots Thursday. They sank two huge ones at the end of the first half.
Knoch had rebounded from a 13-5 deficit in the first quarter to lead 20-16 in the final minute of the second period.
Sisters Madeline and Samantha Clark both hit a trey, the second one just before the buzzer to send Freeport into halftime with a 22-20 lead.
“That 3-pointer was huge,” said Soilis. “We never trailed after that.”
But the Knights (6-6, 4-2) made things interesting.
Jaylee Lassinger and Skylar Burkett both drained a 3-pointer less than a minute apart in the fourth quarter, trimming Freeport's edge to 41-35 with 3:46 left.“That 3 (before the half) was big on the scoreboard, but I don't think our girls were affected by it,” Andreassi said. “We saw a lot of energy out of them the whole game.”The Yellowjackets then dribbled nearly two minutes off the clock before Sidney Shemanski hit a bucket. Lauren Cihonski answered for Knoch at the other end, getting the deficit back to six with 1:30 remaining, but the Knights got no closer.It's been 10 years since Knoch finished a season with a winning record. Andreassi is hoping his players learn from Thursday's experience. The team has no seniors on the roster.“This was the biggest game these girls have played in,” he said. “It's a process and part of it is preparing for and playing in big games. They need to embrace it and enjoy it.”Shemanski led Freeport with 12 points and nine rebounds. Nevaeh Ewing scored nine points to pace Knoch.<br>FREEPORT 47Harley Holloway 3 1-3 9, Samantha Clark 4 0-0 10, Madeline Clark 3 1-2 9, Sidney Shemanski 5 2-2 12, Haley Graham 2 2-2 6, Grace Soilis 0 1-2 1. Totals: 17 7-11 47.KNOCH 39Madilyn Boyer 2 3-4 8, Skylar Burkett 2 0-0 6, Lauren Cihonski 3 2-3 8, Nevaeh Ewing 4 0-0 9, Abbey Shearer 2 1-1 5, Jaylee Lassinger 1 0-0 3. Totals: 14 6-8 39.Freeport 13 9 17 8 — 47Knoch5 15 9 10 — 393-point goals: Freeport 6 (Holloway 2, S. Clark 2, M. Clark 2); Knoch 5 (Burkett 2, Ewing, Lassinger, Boyer).Monday: Indiana at Freeport; Knoch at North Catholic
