Sharp's triple-double helps 'Hounds

Thursday, January 20, 2011
Fort Scott's Jolee Sharp (10) looks to get by Allen County's Aeriss McNeese during the second half of play at Arnold Arena Wednesday night. Sharp recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 steals as the Greyhounds took a 58-41 victory. (FSCC photo)

Jolee Sharp posted what may be just the second triple-double in Fort Scott Community College's women's basketball history Wednesday night as the Fort Scott High graduate scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and picked up 12 steals in a 58-41 victory over Allen County at Arnold Arena.

Sharp, normally a starter, came off the bench Wednesday night. It turned out that she was thinking she needed a change, even if only a temporary one.

"I asked not to start this game because I haven't been starting out so hot," Sharp said. "So I figured: change it up a little bit."

The toughest part was getting that final rebound to make it a triple-double. That came on the final play of the game when Sharp rebounded a missed Allen County free throw.

"We were on the bench and we were wondering where can we get her the extra rebound," FSCC head coach Diana Couch said. "We didn't know if there was enough time to get it in for her.

"She finds a will. She's a consistent player. She's the top rebounder on our team. She in the top 10 in our conference. She's got a little bit of everything. That's what makes her dangerous on the floor."

Fort Scott (2-5 Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division, 5-14 overall) trailed most of the first half but went into the locker room with some momentum after Sharp took a steal in for a layup and Brittany Crow nailed a 3-point shot in the final 1:08 to cut the Red Devils' lead to 21-20.

The 'Hounds exploded out of the locker room in the second half, starting off on a 20-1 run. As Allen County (0-7, 2-16) kept turning the ball over, Fort Scott kept converting the miscues into points.

Sharp picked up 10 of her steals in the second half, taking them to the other end for points.

The 'Hounds also shot better, crashed the boards harder and cut their turnovers in half (8) compared to the first half.

In the second half, Fort Scott shot 53 percent from the field, making 10 of 19 field-goal attempts. Allen County made only 6 of 18 fielders.

The Devils did stage a rally with about six minutes to go and scored 11 straight points to get within 46-39. The 'Hounds made only two field-goals in the final 10 minutes but were hitting enough of their free throws -- 8 of 13 in the final 3:55 -- that Allen County couldn't catch up once their shots quit going in.

The Red Devils didn't make a field goal in the final 4:45 of play and didn't score at all after Nisbett made two free throws with 3:10 to go that at the time kept Allen County with 50-41.

Ashlie Baker added 9 points for the 'Hounds and Kerenza Singletary chipped in with 8. Singletary and Kendra Mattox had 7 boards each as Fort Scott sent Allen County to it's 15th consecutive defeat.

Fort Scott broke a two-game losing streak and has a chance to move past Highland in the standings with a victory over the Scotties Saturday on the road.

ALLEN COUNTY: Walker 3-9 3-8 10, Swick 1-2 0-2 2, Goldson 4-11 1-4 13, Best 2-11 0-0 5, McNeese 0-2 1-2 1, Johnson 4-6 0-1 8, Nisbett 0-4 2-4 2. TOTALS: 14-45 7-21 41.

FORT SCOTT: Crow 1-3 0-1 3, Young 2-3 0-0 5, Sharp 7-12 10-12 24, Singletary 4-7 0-2 8, Mattox 1-8 2-2 4, Carter 0-4 0-0 0, Baker 2-6 5-7 9, Bonaparte 1-2 3-6 5. TOTALS: 18-45 20-30 58.

Halftime: Allen County, 21-20.

Three-point field goals: Allen County 6-22 (Goldson 4-7, Walker 1-5, Best 1-7, Johnson 0-1, Nisbett 0-2), Fort Scott 2-12 (Young 1-2, Crow 1-3, Sharp 0-2, Baker 0-2, Mattox 0-3).

Total fouls: Allen County 21, Fort Scott 15. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: Allen County coach Hicks 2.

Rebounds: Allen County 33 (Swick 7), Fort Scott 40 (Sharp 10), Assists: Allen County 7 (3 with 2 each), Fort Scott 9 (Sharp 3). Turnovers: Allen County 27, Fort Scott 24. Steals: Allen County 9 (Best 4), Fort Scott 17 (Sharp 12). Blocked shots: Allen County none, Fort Scott 1 (Sharp).