By By Matthew Nascone
The first win of the season was one shot away in the last minute of the Northview Lady Chiefs basketball game against Central High School.
As NHS was struggling for their first win in five games, Central scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Lady Chiefs 35-27. The game was a two-point contest at halftime, but the seven free throws in the fourth quarter for Central locked down the victory.
"It was a good, tight game," NHS head coach Lorenzo Jones said. "They made those seven free throws and then we turned the ball over trying to force the ball up the court."
Jones said his girls played hard and this was the best game for the team so far.
"I started five freshman and they all hustled and showed signs of improvement," Jones said. "Our main problem is getting the ball into the hoop, but they are creating opportunities for themselves. If they can finish by making a shot we will start winning some ball games."
The five freshmen Jones started Monday were Timeka Marshall, Brittney Thompson, April Bonner, Tempelton Foster and Melissa Garrett.
Practice is where the honing of the skills will happen, Jones said.
"We are still working on defense and getting our shooting drills down," he said. "Discipline is very important and I had a discussion with them about growing up," Jones said. "They are definitely showing signs of improvement."
Foster led all scorers with six points. Bonner, Garrett and Finese Newton added four points each.
On Nov. 22 the Lady Chiefs squared off with Catholic High School and lost 52-10.
"Catholic is a well-organized team that is together all year so they were a very tough team," Jones said. "What hurt us most was their speed. They created on a two against one situation and we were not able to keep up."
Jones is confident the team's first win will come soon.
"We are going to win one in the next three games, I can feel it," he said.
The Lady Chiefs face Tate tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
In Boys action
The NHS boy's basketball team lost 48-40 at the hands of Central. Head coach Shane Reid said the blame for the loss could be laid completely on his shoulders.
"It starts with me and ends with me," Reid said. "We were out coached and outplayed on Monday and anything that could go wrong did."
There were no excuses made for the loss, but Reid said the combination of the Thanksgiving holiday and him getting sick didn't help the team's chances.
"We looked like we didn't practice all weekend and that is what happened," Reid said. "Central was fundamentally sound and they were able to stay calm under pressure. They won the game in the fourth quarter because of this. Before then if was a close game."
The Chiefs had a game yesterday against T.R. Miller and the recap will be in Sunday's Advance, but Reid said the team will jump back on the basics in practice today in preparation for tomorrow's game against Pensacola Christian Academy.
"We have to get better on defense and offense," Reid said. "On offense we would call a play and the guys would not line up right for the play and we will work on that."
The lack of practice is something Reid took responsibility for and he said he would have his team ready for the rest of the season.
"We haven't been together long enough to take a break like that and it showed Monday night," he said.
The JV Chiefs tip off with Pensacola Christian Academy at 6 p.m. tomorrow with the varsity team immediately following the JV game.