Lyndon Academy Bests Lady Cougars
Dateline – Roswell, Ga: In Friday evening varsity basketball action The Cottage School played host to the supremely talented Terriers of Lyndon Academy. The perennial GAPPS (Ga. Association of Private and Parochial Schools) power made their first foray into the lair of the Lady Cougars determined to steal a win, while TCS looked to build on their Tuesday victory over traditional rival Mill Springs Academy.
The Lady Terriers set the tone early, relying on staunch defense, sound rebounding techniques, and a commitment to the fast break en route to 26 first quarter points. This opening assault proved too much for the Cougars to overcome, although Cottage did prevent similar offensive eruptions in the other three stanzas. Although Lyndon clearly established their superiority on this evening, the opportunity to sharpen skills and to gain experience against such an established and experienced team can certainly give the Lady Cougars an opportunity to learn and to prepare themselves for the challenges posed by strong opponents. As the Biblical idiom states “. . . iron sharpens iron.”
The 2020 saga continues on Tuesday afternoon as TCS will play host to Solid Rock Academy. Despite a thin history between the two programs, both schools find themselves thrust into the same GISA region. Get yourself in on the ground floor of this budding rivalry by coming out to the Cougar Center to cheer your ladies on.
GAME NOTES
All representatives of the Middle School end of campus saw floor time on this evening. Guards Finley Love and Hannah Katz logged minutes in second quarter action. Addison Nowakowski subbed in for post position duties and Reagan McMillin spelled guards during the second half. Katz executed the zone set against the high scoring opponents, while Love handled inbounding and shooting guard responsibilities. Love finished the contest with 2 rebounds (one from each end of the court) and completed a drive to the hoop to tally 2 points. McMillin matched up with Lady Terrier #3 Sydney Dollar, applying the man to man principles learned in practice. Similarly, Nowakowski proved equal to the challenge of matching up with tall and experienced post players.
Upperclassmen bench players also contributed tangibly to their team’s effort. Sixth man Ana Mills yo-yoed between the post and the perimeter positions. In addition to fearless attacks on the hoop, Mills recorded 2 boards and a couple of deflections. Fellow sophomore Celeste Jeoffroy continued to impress despite just joining the team this week. Jeoffroy put the Lady Cougars on the scoreboard first when she converted on one of two foul shots in the second frame. The trip to the charity stripe was earned when Jeoffroy boxed out a Lady Terrier and drew a foul on the put back. Guard Lillian Travis united her efforts with the “sophomore subs,” as she logged time in both halves. Travis had occasion to show her defensive skills in both the zone and the man schemes.
The starting frontcourt, anchored by Juniors Emmi Dillehay and Anika Helm received a baptism under fire as they found themselves confronted with unusually versatile centers and power forwards. Dillehay forced two steals, and bossed her way to a pair of boards. Helm was not able to convert on her looks at the hoop, but she fought her way to 6 rebounds (including 3 from the offensive end), while also making a most emphatic block as she patrolled the lane. Both ladies demonstrated a willingness to hit the floor in pursuit of loose balls.
On a night where stingy defense largely denied clean looks at the hoop, the Lady Cougar backcourt did their best to shoulder the scoring burden. The deep three served as the most impactful offensive weapon of the game. Settling into the “long ball” groove, both junior Galya Kysar and senior Alex Nebel connected with second half threes. Nebel added 2 offensive boards, a steal, and an assist to the stat line. Kysar led the team in rebounding with 9, adding 4 steals and a blocked shot for good measure. Alyssa Briggs came up with 3 steals, passed for an assist, deflected some passes, and yanked down 3 rebounds.
