Lady Leps Put Leash on NBC

Originally Published In: THE SPOTLIGHT Volume 83, Issue 5 (February 2007)

By Jared Heller

The Lady Leopards are currently on top of the NBC in large part because they got nail-biting wins over West Branch and Northwest.  The Lady Lady Leps are now 14-3 overall with three games left to play.

The Lady Leopards were invited to the prestigious Classic in the Country tournament this year.  The Leps raised some eyebrows with a 59-40 win over Shenandoah.  Louisville forced 27 turnovers, while Amanda Jaeb scored 27 points in handing Shenandoah only their second loss of the season.  Julie Conley also had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Leps then lost an overtime thriller to GlenOak 47-44.  Jaeb led the team again with 13 points, Kelsey Harmon made 4 three-pointers, and Diana Biller pulled down 8 rebounds despite the loss.

The Leps rebounded against NBC rival Canton South with a 48-42 victory.  Jaeb hit 3 three-pointers, which were only part of her 21 points.  Also, Biller recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  The Lady Leps carried their momentum into the next game in which they destroyed Alliance.  The Leps jumped out to a 38-11 halftime lead, before cruising to a 69-29 victory.  Jaeb scored 15 points, while Brittany Bartee and Jessica Lairson each scored 10.

The Lady Leopards avenged an earlier season loss to West Branch with a 49-48 nail-biting home victory over the Warriors.  Jaeb led the team with 26 points and Jaclyn Haddad added 11.  The Leps then knocked off Northwest, 49-47, to claim the sole-lead in the NBC.  Jaeb scored 22 points, Bartee added 15 points, and both players grabbed 6 rebounds a piece in the win.

The Lady Leopards are now 11-1 in the NBC and still have to play Minerva, Marlington, and Jackson.  The Lady Leps can clinch the NBC outright by beating Minerva and Marlington.  They are in complete control of the NBC and will look for a long playoff run.