Mon Mar 15 2010
by Steve Batko
Correspondent
It was another statement game for the Twinsburg girls basketball squad.
Medina came into the Dec. 13 non-league game averaging 66 points a game.
Twinsburg shut down the Bees' weave offense in a 72-34 blowout on the road.
This was a Medina squad (4-2) that recently lost in overtime to state power Wadsworth.
"I think our defense was tremendous," said a thrilled Tiger head coach Mike Kelley.
Twinsburg was set to face another huge non-league tilt Dec. 17 at Hathaway Brown (4-1), a Division II state powerhouse, but results were not available at press time. Hathaway Brown's only loss was to state power Regina (6-0). HB is led by Northwestern recruit Mylan Woods.
The Lady Tigers, 5-0 as of press time, used a 14-2 first quarter lead to fuel the victory over Medina. Twinsburg's team defense and freshman sensation Malina Howard, who posted a strong double-double, led the way to their fifth straight win.
"I think this is the first game this year that we have executed our game plan to perfection," said Kelley, after the Northeast Ohio Conference opener.
Kelley's deep array of athletes combated the weave offense with three different defensive looks: straight up man defense, switch defense on each cut or trapping defense on the weave.
"The girls were awesome on defense and we defended it each way at times," said Kelley. "Malina (Howard) was just all over the place for us."
Howard dominated the paint. The 6-foot-4 southpaw scored 20 points, snagged 14 rebounds, handed out three assists, and blocked two shots. On the year, Howard is averaging 15 points and more than 10 rebounds a game.
Balanced scoring for the deep Tigers continued against the Lady Bees. Junior guard-forward Brittany Reid excelled off the pines with 10 points and two steals, while senior point guard Katie Whittington had a superb floor game with nine points and she dished out seven assists.
"Whittington had a great game and Reid is so athletic, she just gets better and better each game," said Kelley,
Solid defensive games also were turned in by seniors Sydnee Carter and Lauren Macer. Carter scored just one point, but played strong defense, grabbed seven boards and had two thefts.
Off the court, Carter is heading the team's annual Holiday Food Drive and asks that non-perishable items can be donated. For more information, contact Twinsburg athletic director Mike Silverthorn at 330-486-2480.
Macer netted six points and seven steals while senior guard Rachel Peelman popped in eight points.
Sophomore guard Katie Fox is quietly having a great season after being in the rotation last winter. She had six points and dished out a career high six assists.
"Katie is playing very well for us and needs to shoot more often," noted her mentor. "She is starting to play with a lot of confidence."
Junior forward Jenn Mohney chipped in four points, while sophomore post Nicole Carmen added two markers and seven rebounds. Freshman Leah Fechko added four points and freshman center Lashawna Gatewood had two points.
In a 65-43 win over Strongsville on Dec. 10, Howard scored 12 points, had 11 boards and blocked three shots.
Macer's play stood out against the Mustangs as she had 14 points, three steals and four rebounds. Whittington was outstanding with 12 points and seven assists.
Twinsburg scored the first eight points of the second half as Strongsville (3-3) was sizzling in the first half, shooting almost 60-percent.
Peelman and Mohney each added six points while Carmen and Fox had five. Reid scored four points, and Carter added a free throw.
The Lady Tigers have home games against Lakewood (1-2) Dec. 20 and against Brunswick (1-1) Dec. 23. Game time both days is at 7:30 p.m.
Twinsburg may have even more depth soon as junior transfer Hilary Southworth, a 5-11 forward, has started practicing with the club. Southworth transferred back to Twinsburg from state power Regina and is recovering from her second torn ACL.
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Twinsburgbulletin.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications