“More defense,” Lampe said. “It’s been a renewed commitment to defense.”
Madison County’s defense harassed defending region champion Clarke Central all over the court Tuesday night in the Lady Raiders’ 59-48 victory over their rivals.
Madison County (15-5, 4-1) forced 31 Lady Gladiator turnovers as it won its fourth-straight game.
The Lady Raiders have held opponents to less than 50 points in three of their last four games.
“It (defense) has been a focus all year long, but I really see it starting to take shape,” Lampe said.
This from a team that endured its most disappointing loss of the season just over a week ago when it fell to Cedar Shoals 61-53 Jan. 9 in Athens.
But Lampe said there’s a different feeling collectively among the Lady Raiders since then, and it’s showed with this impressive stretch of basketball now.
“I feel togetherness as a team … Maybe it’s the pertinence of the time of year,” Lampe said.
Madison County proved its mettle over the weekend, rallying from 12 points down in the second half to defeat rival Franklin County, 58-51. Franklin County was Class AAA’s no. 1 team at the time.
Though a big win can sometimes leave a team flat for its next outing, the Franklin County victory served as a catalyst for the Clarke Central game, Lampe said.
“That was a great game to play before this one,” he said.
Madison County took the floor against the Lady Gladiators and immediately turned turnovers into points, taking an early 9-2 lead.
“I said if we can be the aggressor, good things can happen,” Lampe said.
Madison County finished with 18 steals.
The Lady Raiders never relinquished the lead, though Clarke Central trailed by just three at the half, 25-22.
Lampe said that the Lady Gladiators’ past success against Madison County might have been going through his team’s head.
“I felt at times we were playing the uniform,” Lampe said, noting that some of last year’s Lady Gladiator stars are no longer there.
But Madison County took over in the fourth quarter, leading comfortably by 13 with just a minute left to play.
“I feel we’re finishing games better,” Lampe said.
Only four Lady Raiders got in the scorebook, but they all reached double figures.
Courtney Freeman led Madison County with 18, followed by Lauren Smith (16), Arnold (14) and Kayla Freeman (11).
Madison County is now tied atop the subregion standings with Clarke Central with just one loss.
But more importantly, the team might be starting to play its best basketball.
“And that’s the key,” Lampe said.
Weekend in review
Lady Raiders rally past no.1 ranked Lady Lions
Madison County rallied from a 12-point second half deficit to beat Franklin County, Class AAA’s no. 1 team, 58-51 on its own floor Saturday.
Courtney Freeman led Madison County with 20 points, and Shantydra Arnold had a big night with 16.
Also helping to fuel the rally was Lauren Smith, who came off the bench in the second half and scored 10 points.
However, the MVP of the night might have been the Lady Raider defense — especially late in the game.
“They (the Lady Lions) didn’t get an open look in the fourth quarter,” coach Dan Lampe said.
Madison County trailed 31-19 early in the second half, but worked the lead down to just five points heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Raiders then dominated the final period, outscoring Franklin County 20-8.
Madison County closed the game by hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the last 39 seconds.
The Lady Raiders warmed for the game by running Apalachee off the court Friday night in a 78-35 win.
Courtney Freeman led Madison County with 31 points, 24 of which came in the first half.
