8A December 3, 2010 Sports THE COMMUNITY NEWS

ROO-HOO!
BASKETBALL Commentary
“CHEF” RUSTY
◗ Ladycats fend off By Dominic Genetti
The Community News

rival Weatherford, stay Rusty Johnson is one of the

undefeated at home
By Dominic Genetti
The Community News
In a rivalry separated by 13 miles
and class 4A, 5A classifications, it was
Aledo who once again came away as the
victors in a Parker County matchup.
Not only did the Ladycats defeat the
Weatherford Lady Roos 67-39 at the Aledo
High School gymnasium on the final day
of November, it was also the team’s sec-
ond victory over the high school of the
county seat this season. Aledo defeated
Weatherford at the Northwest ISD bas-
ketball tournament two weeks ago.
“They’re very scrappy and they
slowed (the offense) definitely,” soph-
omore guard Mallory Powell said.
“Weatherford’s always been our rivals
so it’s always good to beat them.”
Aledo took advantage early on in the
contest with a fast and well-coordinat-
ed offense. Quick bounce passes from
junior guard Alanna Martin allowed
fellow ‘Cats Logan Mittie, Hannah
Loftin and Powell to put points on the
board. In the first quarter alone, the
Ladycats scored a total of 20 points
while the Lady Roos only managed six.
“We’re just working really hard in
practice,” Martin said.
The 5’8” junior branded with the
No. 3 scored a total of six points for
Aledo. Mittie, who played with a bro-
ken left hand, collected 13 points that
night and Loftin gathered 10. Powell
scored the most points for Aledo in the
contest racking up 22.
“I was pleased with the way we start-
ed the game – and our press worked
obviously – and we probably played as
fast (against Weatherford) as we have all
year,” Ladycats head coach Rusty Johnson
said. “Once we get up 20 or so points on a
team, we’re not going to press anymore.
“If you’re up 20 or so you just need
to back off and play good, solid defense
and that’s going to change momentum
obviously and that’s going to change
the pace of the game.”
Weatherford didn’t accumulate
more than 10 points until late in the
second quarter. By that point, Aledo
Aledo junior Alanna Martin (No. 3) charges toward the net against the
Weatherford Lady Roos.
already had a significant lead. Points
from junior Caileen Tallant and senior
Shelby Stockard allowed the Ladycats
to have a 37-21 lead at halftime.
“We are at our best when we’re
just running,” Johnson said. “We’ve
got some shooters and we’ve got some
mismatched problems for the teams.”
The Lady Roos came out faster at
the start of the third quarter and at
times slowed down the Aledo defense,
but breakaways by Martin, Stockard
and freshman Megan Wood allowed
the Ladycats to gain insurance points.
The orange and black put up 18 points
on their county rivals in third quarter.
Weatherford only collected eight.
“Usually our strongest point is
offense, but I think they got after us,”
Mittie said after the game, “double-
teaming us and they really did well on
trapping, and we just didn’t know how
to deal with that at first. But as the
quarter went on we got used to it.”
Large leads throughout the night
allowed Johnson to go to his bench.
Seniors Sarah Hawkins and Bronte
Frank saw time on the court as did
juniors Kaylee Brooks, Kelcie Childs
and Lauren O’Doherty.
“They’re so unselfish, and it’s a
great problem to have,” Johnson said.
“I got a group of girls that are maybe
the most unselfish group I’ve certainly
had in my time here.”
best cooks you’ll ever see on a bas-
ketball court.
In fact, he’s so good, his players
are leaving opponents in awe, say-
ing “wow”.
Just like William Perry is “The
Refrigerator,” Johnson is without a
doubt “The Chef.”
Now you’re probably thinking,
“What’s his logic?” Well it’s sim-
ple. Come to a Ladycats basketball On top of his recipe of players,
game and watch the girls play ball Johnson’s got a few other entrées to
in such a way it’s practically inde- give Ladycat challengers. The best
DOMINIC GENETTI/THE COMMUNITY NEWS scribable. thing that’s working out for them
With a steady pace they control right now is the constant man-to-
the ball with ease, they move fast man defense. With a majority of
yet slow, and are downright pow- players who are just as good on
Just 22 points were scored in the erful. The Aledo Ladycats are the defense as they are on offense (a
fourth quarter. Weatherford scored 10 hard acknowledgement to come by
perfect recipe of basketball players
and Aledo 12 before the game was in the sport, since some players are
that could very well have a domi-
complete. The win gives Aledo an nating season, which may result in sometimes better offenders than
8-1 record and, thus far, keeps the
a pleasing postseason. It’s some- defenders or vice-versa) Johnson’s
Ladycats undefeated at home. But
thing only a chef like Johnson can players dish up a ton of speed that
that’s not the only reason to celebrate.
conjure up and it’s quite the dish. is literally wearing down opposing
The Ladycats are now ranked fifth
Just take a dash of Hannah offenses.
in Texas by the Texas Association of
Loftin and Caileen Tallant, add a So far this season, I’ve seen
Basketball Coaches (TABC).
pinch of Mallory Powell, Shelby the Ladycat defense force other
The players though don’t think of offenses to shut down, take hor-
Stockard and Megan Wood, topped
it too much. They still have a lot of
off with heavy dose of Logan Mittie rible shots and on top of that,
games to play.
mixed with a superb bench full of just make them so confused they
“Every practice we need to go out don’t know what to do. If Aledo
a variety of excellent reserves and
hard and every game we need to play
there you have it. The 2010-2011 keeps this up, and I’m sure they
our best,” Powell said. “I think we get
Ladycats. Not a bad concoction, if will, we’re going to see quite the
really excited when there’s a lot of fans
I should say so myself. fan base for basketball in our city
out here to support us.”
The Aledo High School after the football season comes to
For the senior Mittie, it’s a whole
Gymnasium might as well be a hopeful state championship end
new experience.
dubbed, “The Restaurant” when on the gridiron.
“It doesn’t feel like we’re ranked
fifth, we don’t really think of ourselves the Ladycats are playing, because Add that to an offense boast-
ing accurate three-point shooters,
being where we need to be yet…,” Mittie the special (served every Tuesday
said. “That’s kind of how our mentality and Friday night) is going to be flawless passers and hard-nosed
is. We just need to get better. something everybody’s going to aggression to the basket and you’ve
“For me to be a senior and (to have) want to experience. Don’t worry, got quite a helping of basketball
a bunch of pressure put on me, it’s a the special does come with a des- from one of the best chef ’s in the
little bit harder, but I’m getting used sert, that would be the final buzzer game–and I’ve had the basketball
to it, this state-ranked thing is a little in the fourth quarter announcing beat for college teams.
different, but it’s nice. It’s nice to be victory for the orange and black. Opposing teams should be
state-ranked.” Thanks to Chef Rusty’s scien- aware of the Aledo Ladycats and
Up next for the Ladycats is another tific approach, Aledo has jumped Chef Rusty. Plus they shouldn’t
longtime rival, Stephenville. They’ll out to an 8-1 record and shown be shocked as they leave “The
make the trip to Aledo High for a area teams that they mean busi- Restaurant” with a loss because
Tuesday night matchup Dec. 7. ness when they hit the court. they just got served.

Call me today to hear about these new optional

features: New Car Replacement, Accident
Forgiveness and Deductible Rewards.

The Episcopal Church (817) 441-5061 LAW OFFICE OF

in Parker County BERNARD R. SUCHOCKI
DALE MARES, AAMS
W Y 119 S. RANCH HSE 100
(Behind Brookshire’s)
ALEDO
Feature is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Available in select states now and in
Worshipping in the Parish Hall of most states by 1/31/06 (subject to regulatory approval where required).Allstate Fire and
Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. ©2006 Allstate Insurance Company
Community Christian Church
2 Dean Drive, Aledo
(Across from Coder Elementary)

Sunday Schedule
Holy Eucharist (Communion) 11:15 a.m.
Christian Education/Coffee 10:15 a.m.
Families Welcomed
The Rev. ClayOla H. Gitane, Priest-in-Charge
817-637-0846 clayola.gitane@gmail.com

Recognizing the image of God in all people

and serving them wherever they are.
www.episcopalchurchpc.org

FALL - TIME
NOW OPEN
I-20 ANIMAL HOSPITAL
817-341-3331
TO PLANT!
A Good Time To Plant Trees
FRUIT TREES ARE HERE • GOOD SELECTION OF
SHADE TREES ALSO!
Flu Shots
Refresh your landscape this fall:
Now Available
• GENERAL PET WELLNESS • EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE
• Ornamental Peppers
• Fall Blooming
• Pansies
• Violas
HEALTH CARE
• INTERNAL MEDICINE
• COMPLETE IN-HOUSE
LABORATORY
Cost $25
Grasses • Flowering Cabbage
Group Discount
• SURGERY • DENTAL CARE
• Snapdragons and Kale General and Advanced General and advanced

Available to Employers
• RADIOLOGY • HOME DELIVERY
Digital including dental Medication and Pet Diets
Call us for your landscaping needs, planning & planting! • LASER THERAPY • ONCOLOGY

Free with Copy of Medicare Card

STUART NURSERY
!"#$%&'($%)"*$%!"#$%&+,($%-'*%./0'
Dr. Randy Langerhans has

& LANDSCAPING 3713 Fort Worth Hwy

relocated from west Ft. Worth.
Between Exits 415 and 414
621 N. FM 1187, ALEDO, TX
2317 FORT WORTH HIGHWAY • WEATHERFORD Hudson Oaks, TX 76087 817-441-2702
817 596 0003 www.I-20animalhospital.com OPEN M-F 8:30-6:30 • Saturday 9-Noon