The Lady Tigers defeated the Columbus Lady Cardinals 30-23 on Tuesday, Jan. 26 in a low-scoring, low-key game at Tiger Gym.

Although Smithville stayed ahead of Columbus the whole game, they played at Columbus’ speed and not up to their potential.

“Right now our kids are playing to the level and intensity of our opponent,” said head coach Robin Ramsay. “So we saw a very slow and boring game against Columbus – that strategy is good for them but not for us. We need to play to our potential every time the scoreboard is on.”

Before the game, there was a surprise celebration of Ramsay’s 300^th victory as a Lady Tiger, which included a speech by superintendent Rock McNulty, a framed collage of memorable Lady Tiger pictures and a cake brought out by the Lady Tigers themselves.

Once everyone was done clapping and honoring Ramsay’s impressive coaching career, the clock started.

Smithville’s Ariel Vinklarek was the first to score, getting a field goal with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter.

About 40 seconds after, Columbus’ McGrath, who had a total of six points, got her team on the scoreboard with a field goal as well.

For the next two minutes, no one was able to make a basket.

Finally, Lady Tiger Jaimie Kadlecek, who had a game-high 15 points, made two field goals within 10 seconds of each other. With about 20 seconds left in the first quarter, she was fouled and made both baskets.

Lady Cardinal Smidovec, who totaled with six points, got a field goal as the time went out, ending it with a score of 8-4 Smithville.

The second quarter started out much like the first, with no one able to score until a few minutes into the quarter.

With 5:25 remaining in the first half, Smithville’s Kadlecek got a field goal.

About 30 seconds later, teammate Faith Ralph, who had a total of four points, scored a field goal as well. As a result of a quick steal, she got another one shortly after.

Other than free throws, Columbus’ only basket of the quarter came from McGrath with 20 seconds remaining.

The Lady Tigers went into the locker room ahead by five, 14-9.

The third quarter started out a lot quicker than the previous two, but both teams were held scoreless in the last four minutes of the quarter.

The first basket of the half came from a field goal from Columbus’ Huskey, who led her team with eight points.

Smithville’s Blakelee Saunders, who had a total of five points, got her team on the scoreboard with a three-pointer with 5:31 remaining in the quarter.

A minute later, teammate Megan Weinheimer, who totaled with four points, made a field goal.

Following her, Lady Cardinal Smidovec got her second field goal, ending the third quarter with a score of 19-13 Smithville.

The fourth quarter was the liveliest quarter of the game, with Lady Tiger Kadlecek making a field goal 14 seconds into the quarter.

About 10 seconds later, Huskey got her second field goal for Columbus. She then made another one close to a minute later.

With 5:17 remaining in the game, Smithville’s Kadlecek got another field goal, as well as another one with 1:32 remaining.

Meanwhile, a few Columbus players contributed a field goal each, almost outscoring the Lady Tigers in the final quarter.

La Grange

Last Friday, the Lady Tigers did not have as great of luck when they faced the La Grange Lady Leopards away from home, falling to them 63-58.

“Once again, we started slow and dug ourselves a big hole,” Ramsay said. “We didn’t transition well or take care of the ball. It was very frustrating.”

However, Smithville did come back in the last five minutes of the game, getting La Grange’s lead down from 22 to three at the end.

Kadlecek led the Lady Tigers with 17 points, with teammate Saunders following her with 15.

Other scoring players were Maygan Washington (8), Weinheimer (6), Taylor Homuth (4), Taylor Weldon (4), Trina Deyo (4) and Vinklarek (2).

Their records are now 18-9, 4-3 in district.