Panthers Dominate Backboards To Defeat Brick
In a game that was starting to look like a blowout, but turned into an exciting 4th quarter the Point Boro Panthers were able to hang on and defeat Brick 50-39. At one point the Panthers were up by 17 points in the 3rd quarter but the Green Dragons battled back to get within six points. Sophomore Madalyn Dougherty had a good look at a three pointer with less than two minutes to go to make it a three point game but just missed and Point Boro was able to regain their composure and finish the game off for the win.
“They sped us up and we did not slow down and I think that was the difference in that 4th quarter,” Point Boro coach David Drew said. “Congrats to Brick for bringing a good fight, but when we absolutely needed that composure we found it towards the end.”
The game started off back and forth in the opening minutes, but that changed when Point Boro sophomore Vanessa Haas entered the game and began dominating the offensive glass which resulted in several put-back shots.. She finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds and was a big factor for the Panthers.
“I just wanted to come in and see if I can get some points and help the team out.” Haas said. “As I've gotten older I have tried to get to the basket as much as I can and get rebounds and hit my shots.”
The Panthers size caused problems for Brick throughout the game on defense and on the offensive end. On defense, sophomores Gabby Mellet (11 pts and 14 rebounds) and Katherine Henn (16 pts and 8 rebounds), limited the Dragons ability to get to the hoop.
Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Brick coach Kevin Stockhoff went to a full court press and it caused problems for the Panthers as the Dragons inched back by creating turnovers. Sophomore Riley Nausedas started to get going scoring 15 of her 20 points in the second half. The Panthers were able to stop the Dragons comeback in the final minute with Henn hitting her foul shots and a couple of easy baskets when they broke the press.
“Most of this group are sophomores and I think as we continue to play more minutes this team is only going to get better,” said Coach Drew. “They pulled it together when we absolutely needed it.”