Dateline – Atlanta, Ga: The Lady Cougars ventured to the downtown lair of the Christo Rey Flames for the first ever meeting between the two squads. Buoyed by a loud and raucous crowd, the Flames fired up their second half attack to hold service on their home court.
The game began with both teams consistently throwing sand into each other’s offensive machinery. Overcoming turnovers, and defensive stops, Flames standout #4 D. Freeman managed to score 6 points over the first four minutes, as TCS blanked on all of their possessions. Answering the bell, reserve Finley Love quickly splashed home a three pointer from the left side of the court the halve the lead. A possession later, the freshman received a pass in international waters on the other side of the court, and splashed home another trifecta to knot the match. For the remainder of the first quarter Christo Rey connected on a single free throw, to take a one-point advantage. In second quarter action, a new defensive look flummoxed the visitors, but staunch defense only surrendered six more points, allowing the Flames to enter into halftime with a seven-point spread.
While TCS showed some second half offensive flashes, including a five point mini-eruption by senior Anika Helm, Christo Rey rode their star to a much more offensively free flowing second half. At the final buzzer, the Flames blazed their way to a 37-15 victory.
GAME NOTES
Eighth grader Hannah Katz and ninth grader Finley Love again provided the punch off the pine. Katz assumed the swingman position, logging time in both the frontcourt and the backcourt. She forced a steal along the sideline, and came away with a defensive rebound. Love rang up a career high 6 points on the strength of the two three-point bombs described above. Love added 3 rebounds and 2 assists to her tally sheet.
The starting backcourt faced a tall order in trying to fend off a halfcourt trap and consistent on ball pressure. Although sophomore Alyssa Briggs did not score, she gamely handled the ball while pinballing her way through the determined defenders. Briggs grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and forced four steals. Lillian Travis again stole a ball in an open court situation and hauled in a ‘bound as well.
Ana Mills took a page from the Coach Don Nelson playbook by taking on “point forward” duties: muscling up in the post, but also using her skills to help activate the offense. Mills scored 2 points, poked away 4 steals, and corralled 7 rebounds. Celeste Jeoffroy led her team with a total of 8 rebounds, and scored 2 points from the post. Anika Helm came away with 6 rebounds, threw back a power shot from the paint, and added 5 points on the strength of an inbounds play run to perfection, a foul shot, and a six foot jumper on a feed from Briggs.
Cottage opens their AAC schedule with a home game against Atlanta Area School tomorrow. This storied rivalry resumes after a one year COVID enforced hiatus. The action starts at 4:30 Wednesday!
