Huskies Girls Basketball
Kensington
By CHUCK ZIMMERMAN
February 16, 2008
Northern Valley Lady Husky Basketball
Kensington
The Lady Huskies met for the first time this season conference foe Kensington in a very important game that had not only conference importance but also regional bearings. Yes, regional season is almost upon us and coaches and teams start to “guesstamate” where they will finish and who they will play in the first round.
With playing Kensington we were playing for not only to stay undefeated in conference play but a win would assure us of being seated 2nd in the regional and receive a bye in the first round.
The game started out with both teams on fire as Megan Cole with assists from her teammates started us off with 7 quick points. To Kensington’s credit they battled back and it was a very good and well played quarter for both teams with the score being 20-21 in Kensington’s favor. To our credit we only allowed the Goldbugs one offensive rebound in this quarter which was a very important key to the final outcome.
In the second quarter the Ladys turned up the pressure both on defense and offense as we had scoring contributions from six of our players while all who were on the court during this quarter did an excellent job of playing defense as we held Kensington to only 8 points while scoring 18 of our own.
The second half was as hard a battle as the first. It just so happened that our Ladies were more efficient and out played the Goldbugs for a final score of 73-59.
73!!! Not a typo. What’s more impressive is the fact that as a team we had 28 assists! That’s 56 points coming off of a teammate who has found our open player for the easy basket. This stat alone shows the kind of team play that these girls know will take them deeper into the season.
Our assist leaders were Joni Hilburn who found 7 teammates open and two of her passes were of the “no look” variety. Alison Cole found 6 teammates open as she is starting to be double and triple teamed and our guards are floating into a position where she is able to find them for the open shot. Other’s who did a great job of finding teammates open, and most of these were in a fast break situation, Megan Cole, Staci Dole, Christina Anderson and Brittney Braun all found three of their “sisters” open for baskets.
Back to the reason for our success during this season: our hustle on the defensive end. We had a team total of 22 deflects, not a record but to watch how we harassed the Goldbugs for the entire game you had to be impressed. Anderson got her hands on 5 (well, hands 4, foot 1) with Jessica Largent touching 4 along with Megan C. who also had 4.
Again, these just set up a situation for a possible steal in which we took 15 on this night with our two “scatter bugs” Hilburn and Dole each swiping 4 while Megan C, Alison C. and Anderson each pilfered 2.
Now to the final step in our belief system of playing great defense – rebounding. We not only held them to one offensive rebound in the first quarter we held them to only one in the second and none in the third. This was very much a key to this victory as we out rebounded the Goldbugs 40-24. Again, another key in determining whether or not we go deep into post season play.
It must be mentioned that what the fans saw on this particular night was a Northern Valley team that was 5/10th ill. For this team to play that well and being that ill is a great testament to their toughness and fortitude. I and Coach Dole could not have been more pleased with their effort not only in this game but for the entire season.
The ladies also wish to thank our fans as you have been great throughout this season with being positive in your cheering and your support towards us. We have started a “tradition” of thanking you our fans. After we congratulate our opponents we will continue on around the court and as we pass by our stands we are clapping for you – thanking you for your support.
3pt 2pt Ft Reb St As’t Def
Karen Wenzel 0 0 0 0 0 2
Megan Cole 1 5 0 5 2 6 4
Alison Cole 0 15 2 12 2 6 3
Kenzie Chandler 0 1 0 1 1 1 1
Staci Dole 1 2 1 3 4 3 1
Joni Hilburn 0 2 0 0 4 7 1
Christina Anderson 0 2 1 6 2 3 5
Phoung Le 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Brittney Braun 0 4 0 8 0 3 0
Pam Araujo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jessica Largent 0 0 1 5 0 2 4
