UPDATED: Lady Lakers lose opener

Vincennes Rivet junior Casandra Brocksmith (14) blocks out Shakamak's Kristi Pearson while teammate Cassandra Holdaway heads back down court Tuesday night. Rivet won 67-29. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

JASONVILLE -- Vincennes Rivet's girls basketball team was Class A state runner-up in 2009, playing much of the season without standout point guard Chelsea Meeks (knee injury).

But the 5-4 senior started the 2009-10 season with 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting, 4 of 8 firing from 3-point range, three steals, three assists and just one turnover as the Lady Patriots defeated host Shakamak 67-29 here Tuesday in the season-opener for both teams.

"They are a very good ball club," said Shakamak coach Troy Fougerousse. "If Meeks would have played last year, I don't think there is any doubt that they would have won the state.

"She does so much for them. She makes everybody around her better. She is unselfish, but also knows when to score. She did not look like she is coming off of knee surgery."

The Lady Lakers, who were playing without Marki Collins (flu-like symptoms) and a less than 100 percent Casey Fougerousse, who also has been suffering with flu-like symptoms, led 2-0 on a jumper by Jade Gambill, who paced Shakamak with 12 points.

Rivet answered with an 8-0 spurt and led 14-6 at the end of the opening quarter.

"I thought the girls came out ready to play," said coach Fougerousse. "We were trying to focus on defensive rebounding, and not let them have as many second chance opportunities like they had against us last year."

Shakamak had trouble against Rivet's quickness, as evidenced by 24 turnovers, twice as many as committed by the Lady Patriots.

"Turnovers hurt us just like they did last year," said Fougerousse. "Rivet does a good job with their press.

"They have a lot of depth and continue to bring in fresh players off the bench."

Shakamak struggled offensively, only making 9 of 26 attempts from the field (35 percent). They also missed 12 of 22 free throws. Fougerousse had seven points, three steals and three assists while Mikayla Crane added five points and two rebounds.

Gambill also had three steals, one assist and two rebounds.

Kristi Pearson did not score, but had a game-high seven rebounds. Lacey Gilbert and Cassandra Holdaway each scored two points and Jazmine Martin added one free throw. Holdaway had three rebounds and Martin grabbed one.

"We are still trying to get into basketball shape," said Fougerousse. "We have a couple of players that we need to get healthy.

"At times, we did some good things with our 2-3 zone defense. We just have to continue to work at getting better."

Ten different players scored for Rivet, including Sara Young, who hit three 3-pointers and finished with 12. Rivet was 7 of 18 from 3-point range compared to 1 of 8 for SHS.

Rivet also won the jv contest 44-17.

Megan Phipps led the Lady Lakers with five points, Brooke Samm and Savannah Turner each scored four points, Elise Miller had three and Kelsey Fulford added one. Kelsey Pilant, Bethany Simpson, Sabrina Drew, Hunter Baker and Kristen Maddox also played

Shakamak will host Clay City at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its conference opener.

VINCENNES RIVET (67) -- Chelsea Meeks 8-13 0-0 20, Cassandra Brocksmith 2-5 1-2 5, Erin Wehrheim 2-3 3-4 7, Sara Young 4-9 1-2 12, Emily Montgomery 3-9 3-4 9, Julia Finch 1-3 1-2 3, Victoria Brocksmith 1-4 0-0 2, Lauren Tucker 1-1 1-1 3, Amber Fowler 0-0 0-0 0, Ellie Herman 1-3 2-4 4, Elizabeth Keller 0-1 2-4 2, Natile Frey 0-0 0-0 0. Julia Pratt 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-51 14-23 67.

SHAKAMAK (29) -- Casey Fougerousse 1-6 4-6 7, Mikayla Crane 2-5 1-2 5, Jade Gambill 4-6 4-9 12, Kristi Pearson 0-4 0-2 0, Jazmine Martin 0-3 1-2 1, Lacey Gilbert 1-1 0-1 2, Bethany Simpson 0-0 0-0 0, Cassandra Holdaway 1-1 0-0 2, Savannah Turner 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 9-26 10-22 29.

Vincennes Rivet 14 22 15 16 -- 67

Shakamak 6 9 7 7 -- 29

3-point shooting -- Vincennes Rivet 7-18 (Meeks 4-8, Young 3-7, C. Brocksmith 0-1, V. Brocksmith 0-2), Shakamak 1-8 (Fougerousse 1-5, Martin 0-3). Fouls -- Vincennes Rivet 26, Shakamak 17. Fouled out -- C. Brocksmith. Rebounds -- Vincennes Rivet 29 (Wehrheim 5), Shakamak 20 (Pearson 7). Assists -- Vincennes Rivet 19 (Wehrheim 5), Shakamak 7 (Fougerousse 3). Steals -- Vincennes Rivet 10 (Meeks 3), Shakamak 7 (Gambill 3, Fougerousse 3). Turnovers -- Vincennes Rivet 12 (Montgomery 4), Shakamak 24 (Fougerousse 7).