The 5th grade girls stand alone in first place after a 23-16 win Saturday morning, in a battle of undefeated teams.
After scoring the first two points of the game, the other team answered back with 6 straight and took a 6-2 lead after the 1st quarter. One girl on the opposition hit three shots in the first all from the same spot, which put the 5th graders in a hole early on in the game.
But the girls responded in the second, tightening up their defense and took a lead into halftime.
Kaela was a one woman wrecking crew again, and set a new career high with 20 points. After an off game last week, Kaela came back and was able to finish on the majority of her lay-ups.
It remained tight through but the 5th graders stretched out their lead late in the 4th quarter.
Clinging to a 16-13 lead, the girls worked hard on the glass and Becky picked up a rebound in front of the basket and banked in her only shot of the game to give the girls a 5 point lead.
Kaela later iced the game in the final minute with an impressive full court drive where she weaved her way through the defense, and then she capped off her record setting day with a step back jumper from the wing that left the other team shaking their heads.
It's likely these two teams will meet again in the post-season, so they are going to need some more offense from the entire team. Besides Kaela, Becky's basket was the only field goal scored by someone else on the team. Michaela had a free throw in the first half.
With her speed and quickness, it's tough for many teams to stop Kaela, but she'll need to involve her teammates more in the offense down the stretch. There were times she had to force up shots and that's never a good sign.
When Kaela was double-teamed, other girls on the team had trouble securing the ball and getting it down-court. So the 5th graders definitely need others to step up if the game plan for the other team is to blanket Kaela.
Defensively, Lily did a solid job and is getting better by the game, as she blocked two shots and grabbed several rebounds throughout the course of the game.
At (5-0), the girls have clinched a playoff spot and will now play for the number one seed.
This is a team that has only two holdovers, Michaela and Ivy, from the team last season. It's still a brand new team and yet they find themselves in first place five games into the season.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
7th grade girls play, and play well
When the 7th grade girls show up to a game, they are usually pretty good. But the problem so far this season is that not all of them have showed up.
Today, all six girls were in uniform, but Amy, fighting a cold was unable to play. So they ran with five.
They five they ran with did one heck of a job as they scored the most points ever in team history, 30. The problem was the other team scored just a little more in a 41-30 loss.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, Melina picked up her fifth foul of the game on a moving screen, and the 7th grade girls were left short handed for the rest of the game. Even 4 on 5, the girls were still within three points late in the 4th quarter.
At that point, the game looked like it would soon become a blowout. But the girls were resilient and had some fight left in them. In the final minute of the 3rd quarter, Cynthia came down and hit a two shots in succession, including a 3 pointer that cut the lead to just two heading into the fourth.
But the man disadvantage proved too much to overcome as the other team ran away with the game towards the end with some uncontested buckets that sealed the game.
Following two straight forfeits, this game had disaster written all over it, but the girls came out with some energy and were able to execute against an undefeated team.
Julia was a beast, as she scored 8 of her career high 12 points in the first half. Julia knocked down the first two shots she took in the game and was just a hawk around the basket, getting to loose balls and putting them back up.
Cynthia showed her range, nailing two more 3 pointers in the game, and hitting several outside shots on her way to a career high 13 points.
Tiffany added 3 points and Wendy 2 points, all in the second half.
It was a surprise but also a glimpse of how good this team could be if they could all consistently show up to practice and games. The little things like getting in front of the other team on out of bounds plays, or passing it to a teammate in the right spot, are all lost when the girls don't get a chance to practice. And that's why they lost the game.
Now the girls can use this game to their advantage and start to build. At (2-3), they are still well and alive in the playoff chase and will need to play like they did Saturday afternoon the rest of the way. They should be able to gain momentum from a performance like this take it with them the rest of the way.
And it all starts with practice tomorrow - with everybody there.
Today, all six girls were in uniform, but Amy, fighting a cold was unable to play. So they ran with five.
They five they ran with did one heck of a job as they scored the most points ever in team history, 30. The problem was the other team scored just a little more in a 41-30 loss.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, Melina picked up her fifth foul of the game on a moving screen, and the 7th grade girls were left short handed for the rest of the game. Even 4 on 5, the girls were still within three points late in the 4th quarter.
At that point, the game looked like it would soon become a blowout. But the girls were resilient and had some fight left in them. In the final minute of the 3rd quarter, Cynthia came down and hit a two shots in succession, including a 3 pointer that cut the lead to just two heading into the fourth.
But the man disadvantage proved too much to overcome as the other team ran away with the game towards the end with some uncontested buckets that sealed the game.
Following two straight forfeits, this game had disaster written all over it, but the girls came out with some energy and were able to execute against an undefeated team.
Julia was a beast, as she scored 8 of her career high 12 points in the first half. Julia knocked down the first two shots she took in the game and was just a hawk around the basket, getting to loose balls and putting them back up.
Cynthia showed her range, nailing two more 3 pointers in the game, and hitting several outside shots on her way to a career high 13 points.
Tiffany added 3 points and Wendy 2 points, all in the second half.
It was a surprise but also a glimpse of how good this team could be if they could all consistently show up to practice and games. The little things like getting in front of the other team on out of bounds plays, or passing it to a teammate in the right spot, are all lost when the girls don't get a chance to practice. And that's why they lost the game.
Now the girls can use this game to their advantage and start to build. At (2-3), they are still well and alive in the playoff chase and will need to play like they did Saturday afternoon the rest of the way. They should be able to gain momentum from a performance like this take it with them the rest of the way.
And it all starts with practice tomorrow - with everybody there.
Brutal first half sinks 6th grade for the their first loss
The 6th grade girls got their wake-up call Saturday afternoon, as they were beaten for the first time 20-8.
They looked nothing like the team that was (3-0) and everything like the team they were in years past when they got down early in the game and were never able to mount a comeback.
It was a disaster, to put it lightly, in the first half. They kept on turning over the ball, and the simple principle of guarding the girl closest to the basket was lost. Midway through the second, they found themselves down 11-1, and for a team that has trouble scoring, it was a hole that they were going to have trouble getting out of.
The girls came out with a little extra to start the second half but again they couldn't make a shot. They had several chances around the hoop and some good looks to get the momentum back on their side but the girls were held without a basket in the third.
When your offense has trouble putting the ball in the hoop, you better make sure the other team can't either. However, the 6th graders were pushed around by the more physical and larger opponent. The girls had to expect contact in this type of game but the girls shyed away and the results showed. They were down 19-3 after the 3rd quarter.
A Lesly free throw and Edwena jumper gave the girls some life early in the 4th quarter, but that's as much consistent offense they generated all game.
It was a much needed harsh dose of reality as the girls played poorly for three quarters last week and still left with a win -- not the case this afternoon.
Fiona put it very nicely earlier in the year when she said this team plays with confidence when they are ahead and can score early in the game. Today, they didn't and instead went back to their old habits and played without the confidence they needed to win the game.
This is still relatively uncharted waters for this team. Four of the nine girls on the team are new, and even the girls that have been on the team for a few years have never had the expectation of performing at a high level. They were always the underdog, hoping to play well and pulling off the upset. But no longer are they the hunters, because they are the hunted.
Just looking at the standings, the other teams know they have to bring their "A" game against the 6th grade girls, who now sit at (3-1). They have a target on their backs, as they've created high expectations with their success early on in the season.
Halfway through the season, the girls are in a great position to get into the playoffs for the first time, but they'll need to be able to play against teams like this in order to bring their game to the next level.
They looked nothing like the team that was (3-0) and everything like the team they were in years past when they got down early in the game and were never able to mount a comeback.
It was a disaster, to put it lightly, in the first half. They kept on turning over the ball, and the simple principle of guarding the girl closest to the basket was lost. Midway through the second, they found themselves down 11-1, and for a team that has trouble scoring, it was a hole that they were going to have trouble getting out of.
The girls came out with a little extra to start the second half but again they couldn't make a shot. They had several chances around the hoop and some good looks to get the momentum back on their side but the girls were held without a basket in the third.
When your offense has trouble putting the ball in the hoop, you better make sure the other team can't either. However, the 6th graders were pushed around by the more physical and larger opponent. The girls had to expect contact in this type of game but the girls shyed away and the results showed. They were down 19-3 after the 3rd quarter.
A Lesly free throw and Edwena jumper gave the girls some life early in the 4th quarter, but that's as much consistent offense they generated all game.
It was a much needed harsh dose of reality as the girls played poorly for three quarters last week and still left with a win -- not the case this afternoon.
Fiona put it very nicely earlier in the year when she said this team plays with confidence when they are ahead and can score early in the game. Today, they didn't and instead went back to their old habits and played without the confidence they needed to win the game.
This is still relatively uncharted waters for this team. Four of the nine girls on the team are new, and even the girls that have been on the team for a few years have never had the expectation of performing at a high level. They were always the underdog, hoping to play well and pulling off the upset. But no longer are they the hunters, because they are the hunted.
Just looking at the standings, the other teams know they have to bring their "A" game against the 6th grade girls, who now sit at (3-1). They have a target on their backs, as they've created high expectations with their success early on in the season.
Halfway through the season, the girls are in a great position to get into the playoffs for the first time, but they'll need to be able to play against teams like this in order to bring their game to the next level.
Saturday Recap
Quick recap of Saturday's affairs.
The 5th grade improved to (5-0) with a 23-16 win and now sit in first place alone.
The 6th grade lost their first game of the year 20-8 and fall to (3-1).
And the 7th grade actually played a game, and a good one at that. They lost 41-30, and played with only 4 players for the last quarter and a half.
Full recaps and maybe highlights later if you vote for the poll to the left.
The 5th grade improved to (5-0) with a 23-16 win and now sit in first place alone.
The 6th grade lost their first game of the year 20-8 and fall to (3-1).
And the 7th grade actually played a game, and a good one at that. They lost 41-30, and played with only 4 players for the last quarter and a half.
Full recaps and maybe highlights later if you vote for the poll to the left.
Friday, March 30, 2012
8th grade clinches first seed in win
The 8th grade girls secured the first seed their division Friday night with a 26-13 win to improve to (6-0) on the year.
Pamela led the way for the girls, scoring a career high 14 points, the bulk of the baskets coming on the fast breaks.
This was the toughest challenge for the girls this season, as the final score wasn't lopsided.
However, the girls pretty much held a 10 point lead throughout the game, but the other team did make a run in the second half.
But the 8th grade girls responded by clamping down on defense, which translated to their running game.
Sabrina was solid on defense, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. She did a great job of passing the ball up-court to Pamela for her career game.
Jocelyn added 5 points, followed by Sabrina who collected her 3 points on an And-1 in the second half. Amanda and Maria both chipped in with 2 points each.
It was a good game overall for the girls, because it was actually a game and not a one-sided thrashing like the previous few games.
To the other team's credit, they played the girls tough, and caused a lot of turnovers. The 8th grade girls had trouble taking care of the ball in the first half, which didn't help their offense get into any rhythm.
Defensively, Amanda got into foul trouble in the 1st quarter and was forced to watch the 2nd quarter from the bench.
In the second half, the girls were a little more patient in taking care of the ball and eventually pulled away to secure win number six.
As the first seed in the playoffs, the 8th grade will have the benefit of playing the fourth seed, which could be a team that will enter the post-season with only one or two wins possibly. There are only five teams in their division and four of them make the playoffs.
Pamela led the way for the girls, scoring a career high 14 points, the bulk of the baskets coming on the fast breaks.
This was the toughest challenge for the girls this season, as the final score wasn't lopsided.
However, the girls pretty much held a 10 point lead throughout the game, but the other team did make a run in the second half.
But the 8th grade girls responded by clamping down on defense, which translated to their running game.
Sabrina was solid on defense, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. She did a great job of passing the ball up-court to Pamela for her career game.
Jocelyn added 5 points, followed by Sabrina who collected her 3 points on an And-1 in the second half. Amanda and Maria both chipped in with 2 points each.
It was a good game overall for the girls, because it was actually a game and not a one-sided thrashing like the previous few games.
To the other team's credit, they played the girls tough, and caused a lot of turnovers. The 8th grade girls had trouble taking care of the ball in the first half, which didn't help their offense get into any rhythm.
Defensively, Amanda got into foul trouble in the 1st quarter and was forced to watch the 2nd quarter from the bench.
In the second half, the girls were a little more patient in taking care of the ball and eventually pulled away to secure win number six.
As the first seed in the playoffs, the 8th grade will have the benefit of playing the fourth seed, which could be a team that will enter the post-season with only one or two wins possibly. There are only five teams in their division and four of them make the playoffs.
Late bucket shatters 3rd grade's hope for a win
The 3rd grade girls played a very San Jose Sharks like game Friday night. They had opportunity after opportunity to score, but in the end they came up just short.
Like team teal, who is on the brink of missing the playoffs this season, the 3rd grade girls had anywhere from 15-20 quality shots around the basket, but came away with just two buckets on the night, one that came seconds into the game when Veronica scored right off the jump ball.
They had the possession with 30 seconds left to go and a chance to tie the game, but shots from Justina and Sofia did not go in, as the girls lost 6-4. The girls are still looking for that elusive first win.
The 3rd graders outplayed their opposition in every way except for the final score. The other team had a handful of decent shot attempts the entire game, but the difference was they made their shots count.
It was 4-2 in the 3rd quarter when Justina tied it with a bank shot in the lane. It stayed that way until late in the 4th quarter when the other team drove down the court, picked up their dribble, and then shot the ball over two St. Mary's defenders for the game winning basket. The win was the other team's first of the year.
Missed chances is what the girls are going to look back on as some girls were just too afraid to shoot the ball. Several of them passed up shots right by the basket for whatever reason, and some girls had room to take an extra dribble or two to get closer to the hoop, but elected to take the longer shot.
The girls are more than half way into their season and are struggling to find that first win. It's not going to be easy as they will play three teams that have already beaten them the rest of the way.
Right now, the team is doing a better job of rebounding, moving on defense, and passing the ball. The only problem is finishing their plays by scoring, which is something that they'll have to improve upon if they want to get into the win column.
Like team teal, who is on the brink of missing the playoffs this season, the 3rd grade girls had anywhere from 15-20 quality shots around the basket, but came away with just two buckets on the night, one that came seconds into the game when Veronica scored right off the jump ball.
They had the possession with 30 seconds left to go and a chance to tie the game, but shots from Justina and Sofia did not go in, as the girls lost 6-4. The girls are still looking for that elusive first win.
The 3rd graders outplayed their opposition in every way except for the final score. The other team had a handful of decent shot attempts the entire game, but the difference was they made their shots count.
It was 4-2 in the 3rd quarter when Justina tied it with a bank shot in the lane. It stayed that way until late in the 4th quarter when the other team drove down the court, picked up their dribble, and then shot the ball over two St. Mary's defenders for the game winning basket. The win was the other team's first of the year.
Missed chances is what the girls are going to look back on as some girls were just too afraid to shoot the ball. Several of them passed up shots right by the basket for whatever reason, and some girls had room to take an extra dribble or two to get closer to the hoop, but elected to take the longer shot.
The girls are more than half way into their season and are struggling to find that first win. It's not going to be easy as they will play three teams that have already beaten them the rest of the way.
Right now, the team is doing a better job of rebounding, moving on defense, and passing the ball. The only problem is finishing their plays by scoring, which is something that they'll have to improve upon if they want to get into the win column.
Friday Night Results
The 3rd grade girls came so close to their first ever win but a bucket by the other team in the last two minutes crushed those hopes as they lost 6-4.
The 8th grade girls not only have clinched a playoff spot, but with their win tonight, have clinched first place in their division. They won by a final score of 26-13. Pamela had a career night with 14 points.
Full recaps later tonight.
The 8th grade girls not only have clinched a playoff spot, but with their win tonight, have clinched first place in their division. They won by a final score of 26-13. Pamela had a career night with 14 points.
Full recaps later tonight.
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