JEFFERSONVILLE — It was the final game in Williams S. Johnson Arena last night for Jeffersonville girls' basketball seniors Lakin Roland, Jalynn McClain and Lavada Roberson, and as far as swan songs go, it wasn't bad.
The Red Devils throttled visiting Providence 49-20, and the three seniors, who were instrumental in Jeffersonville's 4A state championship last season, were important factors in yet another win.
It wasn't statistically their best night — the three combined for 24 of Jeffersonville's 49 points — but coach Jana Costner said the trio's contributions couldn't merely be measured by numbers.
Jeffersonville dominated the contest against the Pioneers from the outset. The Red Devils (9-11) scored eight unanswered points to begin the game and forced the Providence to miss their first 11 shots from the field while committing eight turnovers in the first quarter. Jeffersonville led at the end of the first frame, 10-3.
It only got worse for the visitors in the second quarter. Sophomore forward Haley Vogen scored all 12 of her first-half points in the second quarter while the Red Devils racked up 24 points and held Providence without a field goal.
Vogen led Jeffersonville with 14 points, and McClain, who scored the Red Devils' first five points, added 12. Roland added seven points and nine rebounds, and Roberson notched five points in her last regular-season game at Jeffersonville.
Providence (8-11) came into last night's ballgame winners of 5 of their last 7 contest, but were stymied by Jeffersonville's half and full-court pressure. They committed 19 turnovers, but battled the Red Devils hard in the second half.
"The team that Jeffersonville was early in the season wasn't the same team that's out there now," Providence coach Brad Burden said. "They're a team that's peaking at the right time."
Providence fell behind 34-5 at the half, but evened things out in the scoring column against the Red Devils, 15-15 in the second half. Nicole Tucker paced the Pioneers with 6 points.
"We caught them on the wrong night," Burden said. "I was proud of how we handled things after the inital burst, and we're going to use this game as a way to prepare for next week (sectionals)."
Providence faces off against Henryville in the first round of the Pekin Eastern 2A sectional Tuesday night, while Jeffersonville plays Bedford North Lawrence in Seymour tuesday in their 4A sectional opener the same night.
PROVIDENCE 3 2 5 10—20
JEFF 10 24 9 7—49
Providence (8-11) — White 3, Tucker 6, Stiner 0, Wilson 4, Graf 3, Schwartz 0, Huber 3, Meisner 1.
Jeffersonville (9-11) — Lewis 0, Vogen 14, Roberson 5, Roland 7, McClain 12, T. Hines 0, Marshall 0, A. Hines 5, Davis 2, Gray 2, Ford 2.
Rebounds — Providence 25 (Graf 7), Jeffersonville 33 (Roland 9).
3-point field goals — Providence 4 (Tucker 2, Wilson, Huber), Jeffersonville 3 (Roberson, Roland, A. Hines).
Turnovers — Providence 19, Jeffersonville 7.
Free throws — Providence 4-8, Jeffersonville 6-8.
SAYING FAREWELL
Jeffersonville coach Jana Costner paid compliments to her three departing seniors on Jeffersonville’s Senior Night.
• On Roland, a forward and Dartmouth signee who has been a starter for Jeffersonville for most of her four years: "I think this year she really stepped up and became a vocal leader for this this team and the younger kids who look up to her are going to be better off in the future for her."
• On Roberson, a starting guard: "When I first met her, she'd take the ball and dribble it in the lane — and pass it off every time. I'd ask her, ‘What are you doing?’ and she'd tell me she couldn't shoot. She's gotten over that and become a good ballplayer."
• On McClain, a forward and Western Kentucky signee, who spent most of the first half of the season: "Jaylnn has been a vocal leader from day one and she worked so hard to get back and play. The other kids have seen that and it's set a good example for the rest of the team."
