Eagles top Metrolina to take over first place in MAC
ROBERT IRBY Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD –With a suffocat ing defense leading the way, the Concord Academy girls basket ball team defeated Indian Trail Metrolina Christian Academy on Monday evening by a score of 50-23. The Eagles (14-7, 9-0 Metro linaAthletic Conference) refused to let up on the defensive end, holding the Warriors (10-8, 7-1 MAC) to single-digits in each quarter.
“We take pride all season in our defense,” ConcordAcademy head coach Bill Middlebrooks said.
“Our goal in each game is to hold teams under 35 points. Tonight was just another good opportunity for us.”
This was a pivotal victory for the Eagles, as they gave theWar riors their first conference loss and secured sole possession of first place in the MAC. Where they found success de fensively,the Eagles showed in consistency at times offensively.
“In the first half,we struggled converting at the offensive end,” Middlebrooks said. “But they continuedtoplay hard.The shots started dropping for us, and the girls played well together.”
The togetherness aspect is one that Middlebrooks sees as one of the greatest contributing factors to the victory. “When we play like that, es pecially against a good team like Metrolina, good things are going to happen for us,” Middlebrooks added.
Eagles star forward Zoey Ward was notably held in check, as she scored just six points – 10 points below her season average. How ever,Ward saw her own struggles as an opportunity to get her team mates more involved.
“I was getting my teammates open shots,” Ward said. “I al ways try to get my teammates an open pass so they can shoot the ball.”
Many of those shots came from guard Shayana Portee, who led all scorers in the game with 16 points. Janiya Byrd (10 points), McKenzie Taylor (nine) and Jada Steele (eight) also got in on the action.
Leading the way for the War riors was Deja White, who fin ished with eight points.
While the Warriors did not see one player put together a lights-out scoring performance, they still managed to have seven different players put up points. Middlebrookswas very compli mentary of the Warriors, partic ularly their efforts in rebounding and playing defense.
“That is a very good team,” Middlebrooks said of the War riors. “They are a good rebound ing team. I think (White) had,like, four blocks tonight.”
As the regular season begins to dwindle down, the Eagles will try to continue their dominance in theMAC as they seek their second consecutive private-school state championship. Theywere scheduled to be back in action again Tuesday at Char lotte Hickory Grove Christian. Then, they will have a rematch with the Warriors on Friday, this time in Indian Trail.
SCORING SUMMARY
Metrolina Christian 4 5 5 9 — 23
Concord Academy 14 7 19 10 — 50
METROLINA CHRISTIAN – White 8, Griffin 4, Sorrentino 3, Harter 2, Rodden 2, Huneycutt 2, McClain 2 CONCORD ACADEMY –
Portee 16, Byrd 10, Taylor 9, Steele 8, Ward 6, Meyers 1
ROBERT IRBY Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD –With a suffocat ing defense leading the way, the Concord Academy girls basket ball team defeated Indian Trail Metrolina Christian Academy on Monday evening by a score of 50-23. The Eagles (14-7, 9-0 Metro linaAthletic Conference) refused to let up on the defensive end, holding the Warriors (10-8, 7-1 MAC) to single-digits in each quarter.
“We take pride all season in our defense,” ConcordAcademy head coach Bill Middlebrooks said.
“Our goal in each game is to hold teams under 35 points. Tonight was just another good opportunity for us.”
This was a pivotal victory for the Eagles, as they gave theWar riors their first conference loss and secured sole possession of first place in the MAC. Where they found success de fensively,the Eagles showed in consistency at times offensively.
“In the first half,we struggled converting at the offensive end,” Middlebrooks said. “But they continuedtoplay hard.The shots started dropping for us, and the girls played well together.”
The togetherness aspect is one that Middlebrooks sees as one of the greatest contributing factors to the victory. “When we play like that, es pecially against a good team like Metrolina, good things are going to happen for us,” Middlebrooks added.
Eagles star forward Zoey Ward was notably held in check, as she scored just six points – 10 points below her season average. How ever,Ward saw her own struggles as an opportunity to get her team mates more involved.
“I was getting my teammates open shots,” Ward said. “I al ways try to get my teammates an open pass so they can shoot the ball.”
Many of those shots came from guard Shayana Portee, who led all scorers in the game with 16 points. Janiya Byrd (10 points), McKenzie Taylor (nine) and Jada Steele (eight) also got in on the action.
Leading the way for the War riors was Deja White, who fin ished with eight points.
While the Warriors did not see one player put together a lights-out scoring performance, they still managed to have seven different players put up points. Middlebrookswas very compli mentary of the Warriors, partic ularly their efforts in rebounding and playing defense.
“That is a very good team,” Middlebrooks said of the War riors. “They are a good rebound ing team. I think (White) had,like, four blocks tonight.”
As the regular season begins to dwindle down, the Eagles will try to continue their dominance in theMAC as they seek their second consecutive private-school state championship. Theywere scheduled to be back in action again Tuesday at Char lotte Hickory Grove Christian. Then, they will have a rematch with the Warriors on Friday, this time in Indian Trail.
SCORING SUMMARY
Metrolina Christian 4 5 5 9 — 23
Concord Academy 14 7 19 10 — 50
METROLINA CHRISTIAN – White 8, Griffin 4, Sorrentino 3, Harter 2, Rodden 2, Huneycutt 2, McClain 2 CONCORD ACADEMY –
Portee 16, Byrd 10, Taylor 9, Steele 8, Ward 6, Meyers 1
