Lady Shires have potential; need to limit turnovers

The Houlton Lady Shiretowners have shown glimpses of being a tourney contender, but there are aspects of their game that need to be tightened up.
    “The potential is there and I do see the girls getting things turned around,” said Houlton coach Shawn Graham. “We have quality players and I have a lot of confidence in them. We just need to be more patient on offense, not panic under pressure and play smarter basketball. I have no doubt, eventually we will get there, but it looks like it will just take time. It’s still very early yet.”
The Lady Shires lost a heartbreaker on Monday night to visiting Stearns, 58-55.
The Lady Shires were a bit ragged at the beginning of the game, as Stearns applied ball pressure, but the Lady Shires fought fire with fire and executed their own pressure to change the momentum in the first half.
Stearns held a 16-15 opening lead, but the Lady Shires went on a 19-8 scoring run in the second to take a 34-24 halftime advantage. In the second half, the play became a bit out of control again, as the Lady Shires remained in front 44-40.
In the fourth period, Stearns’ Kirsten Marter and Adriana Eurich each scored six of their 16 points apiece to lift their team to victory.
“We had too many turnovers down he stretch,” said Graham. “We had a six-point lead with two minutes to go and just couldn’t hang on. The turnover department has been our disappointment in our offense. Even though we are forcing lots of turnovers off our defense, we just aren’t taking care of the ball.”
The Lady Shires also had costly turnovers on Monday against Stearns and in their game with Presque Isle.
“We had 25-plus turnovers in each of those games,” Graham said. “You just can’t beat quality teams playing sloppy basketball. It’s really too bad that we let the Stearns game get away from us.”
Graham expects Stearns to be in the top three of Class C this season.
“They will be worth a pile of Heal Points,” he added. “But, we aren’t far behind the top teams and we can play with most anyone.”
Lainey Herring played the game of her life, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Vanessa Sanderson netted 16 points.
Last Saturday, the Lady Shires overtook host Lee, 55-43.
The Lady Shires built a 28-14 lead and never looked back.
“This game was one of the best we have played so far,” Graham said.
Sanderson led the Lady Shires with 26 points, while Herring added nine more.
Last Tuesday, the Lady Shires again ran into heavy ball pressure and were defeated 60-39 by visiting Presque Isle.
The Lady Wildcats opened the game with a 14-2 lead and built a 47-25 advantage by the third.
Leading the Lady Shires’ scoring was Sanderson with 12 and Herring with eight points and 10 rebounds.
“I have been very pleased with our hustle and desire,” said Graham. “Our losses haven’t been due to lack of effort. Our defensive pressure has been super.”