Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City Lady Hornet basketball tipped off their season last night on the road, but got nipped down the stretch by the home South Central Cougars, 62-55.

“We missed too many short shots, our defense gave up too much penetration in the lanes, and we missed to many key free throws down the stretch,” said CHBC coach Carolyn Wendte.

Hillary Shelton led CHBC with a game-high 20 points, including one trey and 7-of-8 from the line. Faith Wendte followed with nine points (2 treys) and freshman Micah Jones had eight for the Hornets.

However, a 17-10 advantage for South Central early made the Hornets play catch up. The Hornets cut it to just four points to start the final frame, but South Central held on late for the win by that same 7-point early margin.

CHBC (0-1) travels to Central A&M (1-0) on Thursday. A&M held off another NTC team, Neoga, on Monday, 47-41.

Varsity

South Central 62, CHBC 55

CHBC 10-14-12-19—55

SoCen 17-14-9-22—62

CHBC stats: Hillary Shelton 20 (5-2s, 1-3 pt, 7/8 FTs), Faith Wendte 9 (1-2, 2-3 pt FGs, 1/1 FTs), Micah Jones 8 (3 FGs, 2/6 Fts), Courtney Myers 6 (2 FGs, 2/5 FTs), Kelsey Barnes 5 (2 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Bailey Doty 3 (FG, 1/2 FTs), Monica Gardner 2 (FG), Emily Wheeler 2 (FG), Breeanna Strauch (0/1 FTs). Team FGs 19 (3 pt: Wendte 2, Shelton). Team FTs 14-of-25.

SoCen stats: Ashley Pollard 18 (5-2s, 1-3 pt FG, 5/9 FTs), Audrey Matheny 16 (6 FGs, 4/9 FTs), Krista Lotz 10 (4 Fgs, 2/6 FTs), Kelsey Uphold 9 93 FGs, 3/5 FTs), Abbey Jones 9 (1-2, 1-3 pt FG, 4/4 FTs). Team FGs 21 (2-3 pt). Team FTs 18-of-33

JV

CHBC 34, South Central 24

CHBC 18-6-8-2—34

SoCen 4-4-5-11—24