FT. MYERS, FL. (April 1, 2022) – The DME Girls Basketball dream season came to an end Friday as they lost 67-54 to Montverde in the Geico Nationals semifinals.
DME trailed by 13 at the half and used a strong shooting performance in the next 12 minutes to get back into the game, cutting the lead to 4 with 4:18 to play at 58-54. Montverde upped their defensive pressure from that point and held DME scoreless the remainder of the contest to register the win.
DME made only one of its last 11 field goal attempts and finished the game shooting 39% for the contest. DME negated much of the height advantage Montverde entered the game with, as they won the rebound battle 36-32. However, Montverde did outscore DME 32-24 on points in the paint.
Junior Chole Kitts led DME with a game-high 25 points and 13 rebounds. Sydney Shaw added 12 points and Amiya Evans scored 9 of her 11 points in the second half to help DME get back in the game.
Kitts made 10-16 from the field and was 5-7 at the foul line as she played all 32 minutes. Shaw also played the entire game and led the team with 4 assists and made 2-5 3-point attempts.
Mjarcle Sheppard led Montverde with 18 points as they never trailed in the game.
Turnovers played a part in the game as DME had as many of those in the first half - 9 - as they had field goals. Taking care of the ball better in the second half allowed them to cut into the Montverde lead and they committed just 4 in the final 16 minutes.
Montverde jumped out to a quick start, leading by as much as 11 in the first quarter, shooting 53 percent from the field. Kitts scored 10 of her 25 points in the first 8 minutes.
DME finishes the season with a record of 25-4.
Learn more about our DME Academy Basketball programs here.