Dateline: Roswell, Ga.-The MS Lady Cougars concluded their mini campaign of three straight contests by hosting Atlanta Classical Academy. This Atlanta Charter School ventured into the lair of the Lady Cougars for the first ever clash between the two programs.
Reaping the benefits of some dead eye shooting and a dominating rebounding performance, ACA built up an early first quarter advantage. TCS eighth grader Finley Love put her team on the board in the first quarter as a result of a mid-court steal that turned into a fast break layup. Unfortunately the play accounted for the lone score of the first half, as tight rims and sound defense stymied further Lady Cougar forays.
The second half featured an entirely different tempo. Crisper passing, greater patience in finding open teammates, and better execution on defense allowed for a much closer half of basketball. Although ACA added 14 points to their total, the Lady Cougars delivered with 8 points of their own, as three different Cougars stepped into the scoring column.
All players will combine forces again for Saturday evening’s match at Atlanta Jewish Academy.
GAME NOTES
The MS ladies again took center stage filling out the starting lineups for the beginning of both halves.
Guard Hannah Katz connected on her first bucket of the young season, as she calmly canned a mid-range jump shot. Katz squeezed off a few other shots as she asserted herself in her team’s offensive flow. Apart from taking on inbounding responsibilities for most of the night, Katz grabbed two rebounds (one at each end of the court). Fellow backcourt mate Reagan McMillin stepped into the passing game, while also applying perimeter pressure on the visiting guards. Addison Nowakowski faced the tall order of battling some tall and athletic opponents. Nowakowski responded by patrolling the high post, and corralling an offensive rebound. Finley Love snuck in from the backcourt to chase down 6 boards (1 offensive). Love also rang up 6 points. Two hoops concluded steal and breakaway opportunities, and a short jumper with man on man pressure accounted for the third bucket. The eighth grade guard also passed for an assist, blocked a shot, and came away with 4 steals.
Celeste Jeoffroy and Lillian Travis again provided the two teammates needed to round out the game day roster. Jeoffroy assumed her customary position at center pulling down 6 rebounds (1 offensive), dishing the ball for an assist, and gaining 2 steals. For a second straight game Travis spelled both frontcourt and backcourt positions. She tallied an assist, pulled down 2 rebounds, and connected on her favorite jump shot in fourth quarter action.
