Free-throw shooting proves difference for Bobcats

~ Delta's Taylor Smith went 4-for-4 from the line to seal the win.

Delta sophomore Taylor Smith kept telling herself not to miss when she made two trips to the free-throw line in the final 15 seconds of Saturday's Scott-Mississippi Conference girls basketball tournament title game against Kelly.

The Bobcats led by one point both times.

"I was just thinking when I miss them how much pressure that would be," Smith said. "It was really nerve-racking. I was just trying to do the best I could, though."

Smith blocked out her nerves and converted 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to help the No. 1 Bobcats fend off a late rally by the No. 2 Hawks, earning the 38-35 win.

Kelly sophomore Londyn Backfisch drew a foul from Delta defender Amanda Drew Saturday, January 12, 2008, during the Scott-Mississippi Girls' Basketball Tournament championship game at Scott County Central High. (Kit Doyle)

Smith led her team with 15 points, including netting 9-of-9 free throws in the contest.

The sophomore point guard has come on strong this season. And she has played especially well lately, also leading her team in points last weekend in the Delta New Year's Tournament title game with 18. She called that her best game this winter, even though she was pleased with the way she played Saturday against the Hawks.

This is Smith's first year on the varsity after playing at the junior varsity level all last season.

"It's real cool [to play varsity]," she said. "Coach told me last year that if I keep playing hard, I'd have a good chance at it. I did the best I could in practice and made myself better. Now I'm doing it, so it's pretty cool."

Smith said in last week's New Year's tournament victory, she also had to shoot some free throws down the stretch to help beat St. Vincent.

Kelly defender Debra Hall blocked Delta's Alison Burger during their game Saturday.

"It was another game that they played a big role in," Smith said. "That was another really important and close game, and that's what helps you win."

Kelly rallied to get back into Saturday's title game after trailing 19-10 at halftime.

The Hawks went on a 7-0 run in the first 3 minutes, 26 seconds of the third quarter to bring the score to 19-17.

Delta did not allow the Hawks to get any closer in the period, and entered the fourth quarter with a 26-21 lead.

The Bobcats increased their lead to as many as seven point with 4:26 remaining in the contest. But Kelly would not surrender, going on an 6-0 run over the next 2:31 to make it a one point game at 34-33.

Delta's Sara Blattel shot over several Kelly defenders during the championship game of the Scott-Mississippi Conference girls basketball tournament Saturday at Scott County Central High. (Kit Doyle)

That's when Smith went to work from the free-throw line.

Smith was fouled when the Bobcats got possession of the basketball with 15 seconds remaining. She hit both those shots to give her team a 36-33 advantage.

Kelly's Debra Hall then rushed down the court and nailed a shot near the 3-point line. The crowd roared as though it was a 3-pointer, but the official ruled that it was only a 2-point basket.

"I just came out and saw the coach say '3-pointer,' but apparently my foot was on the line," Hall said. "It happens."

Right after Hall scored her shot, which brought the score to 36-35, a timeout was taken.

Smith said Delta coach Randy White did not tell the team to inbound the basketball to her, but to just get it in safely.

"He just wanted us to try to get it in careful and run the clock down," Smith said.

The ball was inbounded to Smith, who caught it and was fouled almost immediately with 4 seconds remaining. Again, she went to the free-throw line and converted both her attempts to make it 38-35. That is how it would end after the Hawks missed a deep shot.

Hall said she was impressed by the way Smith played under pressure.

"That's a lot of pressure coming in, especially as a sophomore having to knock down free throws in a big game like this," Hall said.

Delta junior Jodi Menz said it was just another strong game for Smith.

"She's stepped up and she's not nervous with the ball," Menz said. "And she's a good passer because she stays under control. She can shoot it out anywhere and that's always good."

Kelly 6 4 11 14 -- 35

Delta 11 8 7 12 -- 38

Kelly (35) -- Londyn Backfisch 10, Kayla Cissell 2, Tara Johnson 4, Kristen Powell 4, Debra Hall 15. FG 12, FT 10-16, F 20 (3-pointers: Johnson 1. Fouled out: Backfisch)

Delta (38) -- Taylor Smith 15, Amanda Drew 5, Jodi Menz 2, Sara Blattel 7, Sarah Keys 9 FG 11, FT 14-19, F 13 (3-pointers: Drew 1, Keys 1. Fouled out: none)