The Final Four
Class AA - Dade Co. vs. Dodge Co.
By Larry Williams
Mar 3, 2005, 04:34 EST

Class AA Semi-Finals 

Girls - Dodge County vs. Dade County

Dade County dodges Dodge County

Houts dynamic in leading “Lady Wolverines” to Class AA Finals

Macon Centreplex – Macon, GA

Ashley Houts had a great game scoring a game high 21 points to pace the “Lady Wolverines”.

Dodge County and Dade County got after it pretty good in the 1st quarter, Tashera Lewis a 6-0 senior scored a pair of baskets to give the “Lady Squaws” an early 6-2 lead. Dade County got back into the game behind the play of their outstanding point guard Ashley Houts a 5-6 junior with a wick handle, her 2 free-throws cut the lead to 10-5.

They pulled to within three when Jessica Cowan hit a sweet little jump hook in the paint. Turnovers started hurting Dodge County late in the quarter, a jumper by Kimberly Gay, a 6-0 sophomore from Dodge County help them maintain their slight lead. A three-pointer by freshman Christine Core at the end of the quarter pulled the “Lady Wolverines” to within two 12-10.

Dade County’s pressure really started giving Dodge County fits in the 2nd quarter as Head Coach Gene Durden sent two waves of players at them. A sweet jumper by Brittany Alsobrook tied the game at 12-12. Dade County took their first lead of the game 15-14 on a three-pointer by Houts

Tashera Lewis did all she could on both ends of the court for Dodge County leading them with 18 points.

Dodge County would regained the lead a few moments later on lay-up by Lewis. The teams continued taking turns with the lead. A steal and basket by Houts gave the “Lady Indians” their largest lead of the game 20-16 late in the quarter. A nice drive and basket by Fanchon Ivey from Dodge County at the end of the quarter cut the lead to 20-18.

Dodge County made some adjustments at the half and was better prepared to handle the Dade County full-court press. Jasmine Singleton hit 1 of 2 free-throws to tie the game at 24-24 with 3:37 left in the 3rd quarter. They upped the lead to three 29-26 when Lewis scored and was fouled.

It was just a matter of time before Dade County started connecting on their jumpers because in the first half they were just coming off of the lip of the rim, a three-pointer by Houts tied the game at 29 all. Cowan drilled another three-point for the “Lady Wolverines” as they took a 34-31 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Brittany Alsobrook did a great job in the paints finishing the game with 13 points.

The Dade County jumpers continued to fall as the 4th quarter got underway, Houts drained another three to pushed the lead up to 37-31. Alsobrook who played a great game for Dade County hit two free-throws after an intentional foul giving the “Lady Wolverines” their largest lead of the game 39-31.

With time now becoming a factor Dodge County jumped into a full-court press of their own forcing a couple of turnovers, a put-back by Lewis cut the lead to 41-37, then Jeanne Burgess hit a jumper to make it 42-39 as the fans from both teams really started getting crunk.

Down the stretch Dodge County missed some easy baskets inside that really hurt. A big put-back by Cowan after a missed free-throw put the “Lady Wolverines” up by 4 with less than :40 seconds to play. Houts who had a bigtime game scored on a fastbreak to seal a hard fought 48-39 win, sending Dade County into the Class AA Championship game on Saturday against the defending Class AA Champions from Wesleyan.

Scoring Recap

Dade County

Ashley Houts scored a game high 21 points to pace the “Lady Wolverines”. Brittany Alsobrook finished with 13 and Jessica Cowan chipped in with 7 points.

Dodge County

Tashera Lewis scored 18 points to lead the “Lady Squaws” and Kim Gay finished with 10 points.

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