Strong defensive showing not enough for Lady Trojans in loss to TKA
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SEYMOUR – Morristown West held TKA to 23 points below their average on Monday night but were unable to capitalize, falling 34-29.
With the loss, West fell to 12-9 on the season.
The Lady Trojans held TKA to single digits in each of the first three quarters on Monday night but a two-point third quarter for West proved to be the difference as the Lady Trojans struggled to finish at the rim.
“I was really happy with our defense,” West coach Johnny Galyon said. “They have some really good guards, and I thought we did a good job defending them. We bragged on them afterward about the defense. We just can’t miss that many layups. We’ll be alright though.”
Delaney Weddington and Jhaniya Mitchell once again led the way for Morristown West. Weddington had 10 points while Mitchell added nine points.
“I thought Jhaniya and Delaney had good games, especially when it’s such a low scoring game,” Galyon said. “Jhaniya played well. I like the way she’s playing, and she’s grown a lot.”
Other scorers for West were Kaylee Dyke with six, Cadence Beaver with two and Gracie Bunch with two.
It was a strong start for TKA, building an 8-4 lead early. However, West scored the final six points of the quarter to take a 10-8 lead. Mitchell scored four during the run while Weddington scored the other two. The Lady Trojans held TKA without a point for five minutes.
West opened up the second adding five more points to their run as Dyke drilled a 3-pointer and Bunch had a putback basket to make it 15-8. TKA broke the streak with eight points to take the lead back, but Mitchell ended the quarter with a basket to give the Lady Trojans a 17-16 lead at the half.
The third quarter was West’s undoing as two Weddington free throws were the only points put on the board for the Lady Trojans. TKA scored seven points and led 23-19 going to the fourth.
In the fourth, TKA added to their lead with a basket before Mitchell hit a three and Weddington scored to cut the lead to one. The Lady Trojans had the ball with 1:19 to go with a chance to take the lead but turned the ball over and fouled. TKA made four straight free throws from there to make it 29-24 before Dyke hit a 3-pointer that cut the lead back to two.
After one free throw by TKA, West had a chance to tie the game but turned the ball over again. Two more free throws by TKA with 21 seconds to go sealed the deal.
West will be back in action on Friday as they host Morristown East. Tip is set for 6 p.m.

