Kaplan Lady Pirates drop a close one

KAPLAN – The Kaplan Lady Pirates came from behind, but fell just shy, losing to the Jennings Lady Bulldogs 36-35 at B.J. Bordelon Gym.
Kaplan guard Kailey LeJeune drained a 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining to tie the score at 35. The Lady Dogs then converted 1-2 free throws on their next possession to claim a one-point advantage with 13 ticks left on the clock.
The Lady Pirates missed their next shot, scrambled for the loose ball and forced a tie-up for one more chance with 4.6 seconds left.
After a timeout, Kaplan executed the in-bound play to perfection. Unfortunately, the Lady Dogs blocked their last second shot attempt from about eight feet away from the goal.
After her team suffered their 10th consecutive defeat, Kaplan head coach Courtney Hargrave was frustrated and optimistic at the same time.
“It’s hard as a coach because you want to win,” said Hargrave. “But this team is very close. We just need that extra bit of emotion, that fire to put us over the top. We fought hard to come back. We just need to put the whole package together. Once we do that, we’ll start winning all these close games.”
Jennings took a 9-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Over the first seven minutes of the second, they outscored Kaplan 8-1 to claim a 17-9 advantage.
The Lady Pirates closed the first half on a 4-0 run to trail 17-13 at the break.
They then outscored the Lady Dogs 8-4 to begin the third quarter, tying the score at 21-21 with 2:33 remaining in the period. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter, but Jennings scored last, claiming a 27-25 lead going into the fourth.
The bucket trading continued into the final stanza until Jennings made two in a row to claim a 34-30 lead with 2:52 to play. With exactly 1:00 left on the clock, one made free throw gave the Lady Dogs the 35-30 lead.
Once again Kaplan stormed back. LeJeune nailed a jumper to within 35-32. The Lady Pirates then forced a turnover that led to LeJeune’s game-tying 3-pointer.
Lauren Touchet led Kaplan with 14 points. LeJeune followed her with 11. Lexi Breaux and Dayne Bass each added four. Caroline Touchet scored two to complete the scoring.
Next, the Lady Pirates will host Morgan City on Tuesday.