GIRLS BASKETBALL Hickory escapes with 22nd victory

Sarah Gill's four free throws clinched a 57-56 win over Slippery Rock.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK -- If there were any doubt about the top Class AAA team in the Mercer County Athletic Conference, the Hickory Hornettes settled the issue Thursday night.
But it wasn't easy.
After leading by as many as 14 points midway through the third period, the Hornettes hung on for a 57-56 win over Slippery Rock High.
"Although things got rather tense at the end, there was never a moment that I questioned the intensity, heart and desire of these kids to win this game," said Hickory (22-2, 6-0) coach Jeanette Whitehead.
Leading Hickory was point guard Sarah Gill, who made 4-for-6 free throws at crunch time. After one miss, Gill hustled from the line, picked up the loose ball, returned it to the outside and allowed the Hornets to run some of the final seconds off the clock.
"All I know is that when I missed that shot, I wanted to do something to make up for it," said Gill. "I just wanted to get the ball, take it out front and not get fouled again."
Rockets lead early
The Rockets (17-5, 4-2) exploded to a quick 8-0 lead to begin the game, but the Hornets, led by four 3-point goals from Jodi Geisel, battled back to put together a 22-4 run to lead by 10 three minutes into the second period.
"We settled in after they took an 8-0 lead," said Whitehead. "We adjusted to their press and then made some key free throws down the stretch to win."
Geisel, who made eight 3-pointers in the Hornets' previous game, has 89 for the season.
"It [shooting the 3] all depends on things that are going for us, & quot; explained Geisel.
"I have always been a shooter and am told to look for my shot. It is part of our offense, but not the main part. But if it is there, then I'll shoot it."
Marshall leads way
After missing the first 20 games of the regular season with an elbow injury, junior point guard Chere Marshall led the Hornets with a team-high 17 points and came up with some key steals and rebounds.
Although Marshall has been in the lineup for the past four games, her immediate future is still somewhat up in the air.
"[This] morning I'll be undergoing more surgery," she said. "My elbow isn't moving properly so they are going to manipulate it and get it to where it should be. As for when I can get back on the floor, that depends on how things work out."
Marshall scored 17 points, Geisel and Gill 14 each to pace Hickory.
Slippery Rock freshman Jence Rhoads led all scorers with 23 points.
Hickory is the top seed out of the MCAC while Slippery Rock goes in as the No. 2 seed.