Missing multiple key players due to injuries including their paint presence, Apollo had no answer for the inside game against Bourbon County, falling 58-20 in the E-Gals’ classic. Despite the growing list of injuries, head coach Mike Riggs and his team aren’t making excuses, instead trying to adapt to the circumstances.
“They are staying positive,” Riggs said. “The one thing I try to tell them, and I think they are starting to do is ignore the scoreboard when it gets ugly and try and win each possession. We are just focused on getting better.”
After trailing 14-5 entering the second quarter, Apollo saw the lead balloon to 28-12 with Jessica Lee and Aubrey Johnson combing for all of the E-Gals’ first-half points. Unable to generate much in the paint due to the size height difference, Apollo was forced to rely on their outside shooting, to minimal results.
“We settled for plenty of jump shots and we just told them if they weren’t making jump shots, were going to score around 20 points. We tried to say hey, no three-point shots and get the ball to the basket to practice it, but they were uncomfortable with it.”
Bourbon County ran away with the game in the third quarter and with a few minutes left in the fourth, Apollo began to sub in some of their younger players. Seventh-grader Abbie Rhodes and eighth-grader Laney Rhodes took advantage of the opportunity, combing for five points in the final two minutes. Johnson finished with a team-high nine points, while Emersyn Bullington was second on the team in scoring with four points.
The Lady Colonels Regan Ring was named the game’s MVP, scoring 12 points and just dominating the paint with multiple blocks and rebounds. With Ring generating so much pressure on the inside, Bourbon County was able to create a plethora of open looks from behind the arc – making eight threes.
The E-Gal Classic picks back up this morning for Apollo with a 9 am matchup against LaRue County before taking on Southern at 4 later in the afternoon.
