Jefferson falls in opener, 57-42

CEDAR RAPIDS - Pull it out? Reset? Run some clock?

Rachel Edmundson had another plan of action.

Edmundson converted a three-point play to stem the momentum, and Class 4A third-rated North Scott pulled away to defeat Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 57-42, in a non-conference girls' basketball game Tuesday night at Jefferson High School.

'That was a huge play,” said Lancers Coach T.J. Case. 'In a situation like that, you almost hope they pull it out. But Rachel's strong enough to get it up and in.”

Jefferson (0-1) had cut a nine-point deficit to 45-42 on a string of 3-pointers before Edmundson turned the tide. She made the first of two free throws, then missed the second. After the Lancers grabbed the offensive rebound, Edmundson went back up, scored and was fouled.

Her free throw rebuilt the lead to seven with 3:27 remaining, and ignited a game-ending 12-0 run.

North Scott (1-0) was a 4A state-tournament team last season and a hopeful to go further this year. The Lancers prevailed despite making just 5 of 23 shots from long distance.

'We were down three and we missed a rebound opportunity,” said Jefferson Coach Jason Edwards. 'We were up against a good team, and we were right there.”

Jefferson trailed, 40-31, with 6 minutes left. A basket by Kennedy Dighton cut it to seven, then consecutive 3-pointers by Amanda Ollinger, Kylie Wise and Avery Guy pulled the J-Hawks within 45-42.

Ollinger, who committed to Iowa earlier this fall, registered 17 points and 11 rebounds while Dighton scored 10 points. Both shot 5-of-14 from the floor.

'They're a handful,” Case said. 'They're a great combination together. When Ollinger goes out in the corner, you can't sag off her.”

Jefferson committed 20 turnovers, and though the J-Hawks posted a 35-34 rebounding edge, the Lancers took advantage of several offensive rebounds, including the pivotal one midway through the fourth quarter.

Edmundson posted 11 points and eight rebounds for North Scott. Karly Soy added 10 points and four assists.

Jefferson is at Bettendorf on Saturday.

NORTH SCOTT 57, CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON 42

At C.R. Jefferson

NORTH SCOTT (57): Karli Rucker 2-11 5-6 9, Karly Soy 3-9 2-2 10, Gina Percuoco 3-3 0-1 7, Rachel Edmundson 4-17 2-3 11, Evan Hundley 3-7 0-0 6, Olivia Schmidt 2-4 2-2 6, Rylee Claussen 2-2 1-2 5, Lindsay Gallens 0-0 0-0 0, Shelley Matthys 1-2 0-0 3, Lauren Van Blaricom 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-55 12-16 57.

C.R. JEFFERSON (42): Sam Kitterman 0-0 0-0 0, Avery Guy 3-4 0-2 8, Kylie Wise 1-6 0-0 3, Kennedy Dighton 5-14 0-3 10, Amanda Ollinger 5-14 6-7 17, Mariah Robinson 1-3 2-2 4, Sparkle Melton 0-1 0-0 0, Cassandra Veglahn 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-42 8-14 42.

Halftime: North Scott 23, Jefferson 21. 3-point goals: North Scott 5-23 (Rucker 0-5, Soy 2-6, Percuoco 1-1, Edmundson 1-8, Schmidt 0-2, Matthys 1-1), Jefferson 4-16 (Guy 2-2, Wise 1-6, Dighton 0-3, Ollinger 1-4, Robinson 0-1). Team fouls: North Scott 12, Jefferson 12. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: North Scott 34 (Edmundson 8), Jefferson 35 (Ollinger 11). Assists: North Scott 11 (Soy 4), Jefferson 7 (Guy 3). Steals: North Scott 13 (Percuoco 3), Jefferson 6 (Kitterman, Ollinger 2). Turnovers: North Scott 11, Jefferson 20.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com