Published: 1/26/2008
Author: Bob_Richards
© Old Gold Free Press Columnists
Alex Guyton and Bloomington North currently stand at 11-7 on the season, with Guyton averaging 13.7 points and currently hitting 72-percent of her freethrows. Her freethrows and points will be needed from here out due to the loss of starting guard Ashley Ross for the season with a torn ACL. Ross led North with 151 trips to the freethrow line, three-times the number of trips for Guyton. Still plagued by foul trouble due to her aggressive board play, Guyton will have to balance that aggression with the need her teammates have to now be the leader of the North offense.Here is a summary of some of Guyton's game performances this month.
Bedford North Lawrence 44 - Bloomington North 42: North could not overcome the first quarter loss of Ashley Ross to a knee injury, a game after Ross exploded for 30 points against Pike. Guyton fouled out on a rebound attempt with 19 seconds remaining, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Bloomington North 66 - Pike 55: North used a 25-9 run in the fourth quarter to blow by Pike. Alex Guyton, back starting at center, had 15 points for the Cougars (11-6).
Bloomington North 48 - No. 14 Mooresville 43: Alex Guyton scored 16 points in a reserve role in her first game back after missing the previous game due to a "coach's decision". Guyton's defense was more inspired, and it showed in her stat line of seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Following the game, North head coach said of Guyton, "Alex had an excellent night. I think it was one of her most quality games on both ends of the floor. She stayed in the game and only had three fouls. She did a nice job using her head. She's a mismatch and we took advantage of it. She also made some great passes and rebounded well. Obviously, we're glad to have her back."
No. 8 Terre Haute South 62 - Bloomington North 53: Alex Guyton led North with 16 points (6-of-11 shooting), 11 rebounds, five steals and four blocks, but Terre Haute South used an 11-2 run and hit 8-of-11 freethrows in the final two minutes to win at North. South's 6'3 Dragana Grbic scored 10 of her 16 points in the final quarter with Guyton on the bench with four fouls.
Bloomington North 59 - Eastern Greene 57 (OT): North (9-4) was able to survive overtime against Eastern Greene without the services of starting center Alex Guyton. Guyton fouled out with two minutes left in regulation with 16 points, six rebounds, six steals and five blocked shots.
Bloomington North 68 - Lawrence Central 30: More valuable than Guyton's nine points and nine rebounds was her ability to rebound and outlet to her teammates for breakaway layups in an uptempo game against Lawrence Central. She finished with four assists.