Former Knights' teams meet on the collegiate hardwood

Kirstin Kimball (No. 25) battles for a rebound in Friday's scrimmage against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Times Sports Editor

CLINTON -- A pair of former Northview Knights were on opposing benches for their respective college teams in a Friday night exhibition basketball game held in Clinton.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Danville Community College continued their preseason schedules in preparation for the 2009-10 slate and Lexee Hayes and Kirstin Kimball were on the roster.

Hayes, a junior with the Pomeroys, is still rehabbing from knee surgery in the offseason, but commented that she should be cleared fully to play by Dec. 7 to add to SMWC's potent roster that took the floor. Kimball meanwhile was in action and saw plenty of playing time in the uptempo contest won by the Pomeroys, 115-79.

"It's much more high intensity and a new level and exciting. You pretty much have to step up your game or get left behind," Kimball said of the college game. "It's been a new adventure because we do run a lot, we're a running team, a shooting team. So I've been adjusting to that. I do like it, getting to shoot the '3.'

Lexee Hayes (left) congratulates a teammate during a timeout during Friday's exhibition game. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Jaguars indeed like to shoot the 3-point shot and hit 14 of them in the game, led by six from Alex Roberts, a freshman from Heyworth, IL. She paced the team with 27 points with Marissa Morris of New Palestine, IN pouring in 18 for Danville. Kimball's lone bucket was a 3-pointer.

The Pomeroys were able to pull away over the final eight minutes of the first half led by their own high-scoring freshman, Brittney Shaner, who is a Center Grove graduate. Shaner rang up 26 points, but may have been topped by her teammate, Chelsey Barron, who had 25 points despite limited minutes in the second half. Barron had 20 points in the first half to lead the SMWC attack.

All six Pomeroys that suited up on Friday, scored in double-figures.

Kirstin Kimball (No. 25), a 2009 Northview graduate, boxes out a Saint Mary-of-the-Woods player during Friday's game between Danville and the Pomeroys. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

For Kimball and the Jaguars, Friday's exhibition was the final one before the team opens at home on Wednesday against Lincoln Trail and then hits the road for the next eight games. Kimball commented on her team's road warrior schedule and some of the fun that the early season road trips have already brought.

"We traveled to Vincennes last week and that's the farthest we've gone so far, but we will stay the night in hotels this upcoming week so that should be interesting and fun," Kimball said.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College opens on the road as well with a trip to World Harvest Bible College in Columbus, OH on Nov. 7 and plays its first seven games on the road before the home opener on Dec. 17 against Spalding, which Hayes hopes to be available for.

At Clinton

Danville (79)

Rosenberger 0 0-0 0, K.Roach 3 3-6 8, G.Grey 0 0-0 0, A.Roberts 9 3-4 27, M.Morris 4 9-14 18, Kimball 1 0-0 3, C.Bartlett 4 0-0 11, S. Meyer 4 2-4 11. 25 17-28 79.

SMWC (115)

Allen 6 5-7 17, Tracy 6 0-1 14, Shaner 11 3-3 26, Blickenstaff 5 4-9 15, Baron 9 5-5 25, J. Messerschmitt 9 0-0 18. 41 18-25 115.

3-point fieldgoals - SMWC 5 (Tracy 2, Baron 2), Dv 14 (A.Roberts 6).