First Posted: 1/31/2015
LIMA — There weren’t many things Lima Senior didn’t do very well.
The Spartans shot, rebounded and had four players score at least eight points.
They also hit 19 of 23 at the foul line.
It added up to an impressive 70-42 Lima Senior girls basketball victory over Findlay on Saturday at Lima Senior.
Rion Thompson paced the Spartans with 30 points, her second straight 30-point game. She hit 10 of 17 from the field and 9 of 10 at the foul line. Thompson also had five rebounds.
But there were a number of Spartans who chipped in for the win. Imara Haynes had 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. Miea Ward had 11 points and six rebounds. Essence Cowan had eight points and two 3-pointers.
“I think if everybody continues to share the ball, rebound and play good defense, I think we can continue on this roll,” Thompson said.
Lima Senior, which has won five of its last six games, is 11-6, 5-5 in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. Findlay is 8-9, 2-8 in the TRAC.
“Obviously, Rion was really good today with 30 points and Imara has been really good,” Lima Senior coach Vince Halliday said. “She’s the biggest girl on the floor (at 6-feet) and she’s really playing like it.”
Haynes has had a strong month of January, including having a triple-double (15 points, 11 rebounds, 10 blocks) in her last game against St. Ursula.
“He (coach Halliday) has talked about more effort and I felt like I needed to show more effort,” Haynes said. “I felt like I had to crash the boards more.”
Added Halliday, “She has a confidence about herself and is finally playing with that confidence, and that’s huge for us.”
Findlay was led by guard Sarah Smarkel, who scored 17 points.
The game was tight through most of the first half, thanks to Findlay’s Claire Johnson, who nailed three straight 3-pointers.
Lima Senior led 30-36 with 2:17 left in the first half. That’s when the Spartans went on a 6-0 run to go to the half with a 36-26 lead. Thompson hit a 10-footer and two foul shots.
Lima Senior hit 14 of 15 at the foul line in the first half.
The Spartans then scored the first four points of the third quarter and pulled out to a 41-26 lead. Ward hit a 3-pointer and a layup.
“The defensive pressure sticks out,” Thompson said. “Also, we crashed the boards on offense and defense. I think that’s what got us going.”
Lima Senior won the boards, 38-35. Lima Senior shot 51 percent from the field and held Findlay to 25 percent shooting.
“We took quality shots and we were in a real good rhythm, offensively,” Halliday said. “We’re starting to play a little bit better and that’s what it’s all about.”
Thompson scored seven points in the third quarter and the Spartans pulled out to a 53-34 lead. Findlay wasn’t able to get close in the final quarter.
Lima Senior used a variety of presses and forced Findlay into 15 turnovers. Many of the turnovers kicked in the Spartans’ running game, with Thompson leading the way down the court.
Thompson hit 6 of 7 from the field in the second half.
“We knew she was a good player,” Findlay coach Chris Ireland said of Thompson. “We didn’t put her in difficult situations. She did a good job and she’s a good player for a reason.”
