Howard School Edges Out Lady Cougars In The Championship Final
Dateline – Alpharetta, Ga: As the Biblical adage states “steel sharpens steel,” a thought that applied fully to the championship game between the Howard Hawks and the Lady Cougars of Cottage School. The programs represent two of the founding schools of the AAC, and clashed for more than their share of epic playoff matches over the years. On this occasion, the two teams found themselves playing on the biggest stage the conference offers for the third consecutive year. To up the ante even more, both teams split their regular season games in especially hard fought fashion. On this night bragging rights, pride, and championship hardware hung in the balance.
Although living up the pre-game hype, the match unfolded in a manner few observers expected. Absolutely no scoring took place for the first four minutes and thirty seconds. As expected, players contested every shot and loose ball, and no one clawed any offensive rebounds. Cottage also came out of the gate with a super deliberate offense that ran lots of time from the clock each possession. Senior Alyssa Briggs entered the scoring column with a three-point harpoon from near the top of the key. Briggs added a conventional bucket shortly afterwards, but neither side gained any leeway. By in large the TCS defense kept the ball out of the hands of All Star Howard center Ava Beck, although she did bang home an and one in the first frame. A Finley Love offensive rebound and put back accounted for all 7 of the TCS points and the quarter ended with both sides knotted at seven points each.
Now sufficiently warmed up, the pace of the game increased from 33 rpm to 78 rpm (a record player reference, the students might need to ask their parents or grandparents about that one). Cottage poured in 12 points over the next eight minutes, with exactly half of those points coming from steals and finishes. Gabby Pressnall connected on a grab and go, while Briggs stripped and scored twice on her own. The teams fought on even terms, but this proved to be the one quarter where Beck got on track, Her six points helped Howard to enter the half with a 21-19 advantage.
Upon returning from the halftime respite, the free and easy offense disappeared for both sides, as the game took on the feel of a war of attrition. TCS ground out 5 points as Briggs drove for a hoop and later canned a free throw. Freshman Sara Tolchinsky electrified the crowd when she converted on a deft pass tossed by Finley Love. As the quarter closed, Howard extended the lead to four points – 28 to 24.
With only eight minutes left in the season both squads took to the floor with purpose and resolve. TCS unleashed a mix of half court traps and full court pressure in a desperate attempt to generate turnovers. While continuing to deny Beck the ball in her preferred post position, Howard received incredible help from #14 Adams who caried the offensive load with 7 very timely points. As precious time ticked away, Tolchinsky forced the issue near the paint and found herself waylaid by an overzealous defender. With the clock stopped, the freshman strode to the foul line where she calmly converted both foul shots. Almost sixty seconds later, Briggs broke loose with another steal and score, making it a three-possession game with just over five minutes left. The next minute took on the feel of a free throw shooting contest, as Beck and Briggs both nailed two free throws. In the final frantic minutes TCS just could not buy a basket, save a mid-range jump shot from sixth grader Grace Workman who connected at the 1:03 mark to cut the Howard margin to six points. Howard scored a final time on a free throw with thirty ticks left on the clock to hold onto a 40 – 33 victory.
Both teams represented their schools, and the league well in showcasing a close and adrenalin filled championship game.
GAME NOTES
Junior Finley Love prepared to take up the torch laid down by the graduating seniors. On this night the Cottage guard scored 4 points, boxed out for 4 rebounds (3 offensive), stole 3 balls, and passed for 3 assists.
Sophomores Malia Richards and Eleanor Gaffneystone took in their second deep playoff run. Neither player scored on this evening, although Richards squeezed off a couple of her patented rainbow jump shots.
Freshman Sara Tolchinsky and Natalie Taylor both played heavy minutes. Front the starting spot, Tolchinsky scored 4 points, claimed an offensive board, and blocked a shot, while jamming Howard ball handlers all evening long. Tayor came off the bench to patrol the paint. She got several touches in the high post, while also recording 3 steals and 4 rebounds (1 offensive).
The face of the Cottage “Youth Movement” also saw court time on this championship night. Bonnie Bolton-Hogg grabbed a big steal and contested passes to provide energy from the bench. Grace Workman also spelled the starters expending great energy in trapping Howard guards. She tallied 1 steal, scored 2 points, ran down an offensive rebound, and inexplicably jumped out of her sneakers to snare 2 blocked shots! Gabby Pressnall did her scoring damage in the second quarter when she connected on 4 points, including a pretty steal and fastbreak finish. She also fought for 2 rebounds, made 3 steals, and dished for an assist.
In the most bittersweet of moments, seniors Kendall Betzer and Alyssa Briggs suited up for the very last time in Cottage attire. Betzer received the starting nod and helped to lock down the formidable Howard frontcourt. She fought her way to 2 rebounds. In her swan song Briggs posted a triple double – willing her way to 19 points, while banging out 14 rebounds, and patrolling the passing lanes to nab 10 steals.
A special thank you to the parents, families, friends, and alumnus who trekked with us all of these past five months. . .it is a journey that none of us will ever forget!