Lady Yoe headed to playoffs for first time in 10 years
The Cameron Lady Yoe were defeated in a heartbreaking loss to the Caldwell Lady Hornets 49-34 on Tuesday night.
This was the final home game of the regular season for the Lady Yoe, which means this was senior night for Ja’Kerra Holt, Akasha Evans, and Averee Wadlington. The team was hoping to finish their final home game with a victory, sadly that could not be done.
The Lady Yoe scored the first four points to start off the game. Cameron gave up a three-point shot, but they answered right back with a three-point shot of their own by Yierra Flemings (5). The Lady Yoe seemed to play a little flat on offense and struggled to get rebounds.
“We changed our personnel around to give us a better look on the boards and focused on securing the rebound before looking to make the next play,” Coach Ashton Miller said. Because of that, the Lady Yoe trailed at the end of the first quarter 12-7.
To start off the second quarter, Flemings hit a three-point shot with four minutes in the quarter, this was Cameron’s first basket in the second quarter. This started a spurt of a 9-2 run for the Lady Yoe. It even sparked their defense as they forced Caldwell into committing many turnovers. Still, Cameron trailed at halftime 23-16. Cameron started the second half slowly when their first basket in the third quarter came at the three-minute mark by Averee Wadlington (44).
“We put some new things in this week and it just took us a little bit to adjust to the new plays and get into a rhythm,” Miller said.
This was then followed up with a three-pointer by Flemings. Still the Lady Yoe could not seem to get on the same page on offense, still committing turnovers in the second half along with trouble shooting at the free throw line as well. The Lady Yoe trailed at the third quarter 34-24.
Going into the fourth quarter, Cameron continued to struggle on offense and had a lot of trouble with maintaining ball security. The Lady Yoe struggled with their passing, Cameron did have better luck drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Unfortunately, they did not capitalize on their free throw opportunities. It would not be enough, as Cameron would fall to Caldwell 49-34.
Even with this loss, Cameron should be congratulated with a 5-6 record in district play with an overall record of 9-13 to clinch a spot in the playoffs. This is their first playoff berth in 10 years.
“I am extremely proud of this team,” Miller said. “We have had some growing pains and getting used to each other as a team since we have such a vast age range with this group, but they have really put in the work these last few weeks to make sure to get that much needed win to get into the playoffs. I’m excited to see success with a young group of athletes. It just shows where Lady Yoe Basketball is headed in future seasons!”
The last time they made the playoffs, they were 11-3 in district play and 11-7 overall and were one win away from making it to the state tournament, losing to Poth.
The first round of the playoffs will begin on Feb. 11. The teams will be matched up after Feb. 5. Until then, The Lady Yoe play their final game of the regular season on Feb. 5 against the Little River Academy Lady Bees. They last played on Jan. 12, where Cameron was defeated 39-26.
Miller’s main goal will be to shut their ability to score in the paint.
“They have a really dominant post player,” Miller said. “Limiting her touches is going to be a huge factor.”
The game will be at Academy High School and will tip off at 6 p.m.