Wildcats shaking off the rust in holiday tournament
ASHEVILLE – Sometimes it can take time adjusting from being on a break and that was the case for Carolina Day girls basketball team.
After a Dec. 3 game, the Wildcats had a couple more two weeks later.
They were on their court again Tuesday for the start to the three-day WNC Holiday Classic.
“You can see the rust,” said Carolina Day coach Joe Carrington. “This tournament is an opportunity for us to get out there and really compete, knock some of the rust off and execute better.”
While the Wildcats (9-1) defeated Winston-Salem Calvary Baptist, 82-38, in their opening-round game, the first 10-point lead didn't come until a field goal near the 5:40 mark of the third quarter. That gave Carolina Day a 34-24 lead.
Maleeah Langstaff led the Wildcats with 19 points, Kasey Kidwell had 18 and Fordham signee Ralene Kwiatkowski had 15.
Carolina Day was scheduled to play Wednesday and has another game Thursday.
"We finally marked (the Calvary Baptist) shooters a little bit better in the second half," Carrington said. "Then we we're able to get some rebounds and get out and run the floor."
The Wildcats led 58-37 at the end of the third quarter, however large leads are not time to rest.
“When we're fortunate enough to get a lead, we want to work on our execution, work on our offensive movement. We want to work on our defensive responsibilities,” Carrington said. “The first half wasn't as good as the second half. You could see the rust kind of come off.
"We weren't really happy with where we were in the first half, part of it had to do with how well Calvary played.
Rebounding has been something Carrington emphasized after Tuesday's win.
“We've got to rebound as a unit before we can run.”
While the tournament can be a time to refocus following a break, preparing for a conference slate that includes Rabun Gap, Asheville Christian and Asheville School is also part of the purpose.
"We know what we've got to face getting into those type of teams," Carrington said. "Anytime you get to play in a holiday game going into conference play, it helps."
Carolina Day has won six consecutive NCISAA 2-A state titles, but a measure of humility came early this season in a 59-57 loss to Concord First Assembly.
"We know we can be beaten,” Carrington said.
"Each team that we've had here has its own personality. They're not really living on the past. We tell everybody we're starting a new journey every year."
ASHEVILLE – Sometimes it can take time adjusting from being on a break and that was the case for Carolina Day girls basketball team.
After a Dec. 3 game, the Wildcats had a couple more two weeks later.
They were on their court again Tuesday for the start to the three-day WNC Holiday Classic.
“You can see the rust,” said Carolina Day coach Joe Carrington. “This tournament is an opportunity for us to get out there and really compete, knock some of the rust off and execute better.”
While the Wildcats (9-1) defeated Winston-Salem Calvary Baptist, 82-38, in their opening-round game, the first 10-point lead didn't come until a field goal near the 5:40 mark of the third quarter. That gave Carolina Day a 34-24 lead.
Maleeah Langstaff led the Wildcats with 19 points, Kasey Kidwell had 18 and Fordham signee Ralene Kwiatkowski had 15.
Carolina Day was scheduled to play Wednesday and has another game Thursday.
"We finally marked (the Calvary Baptist) shooters a little bit better in the second half," Carrington said. "Then we we're able to get some rebounds and get out and run the floor."
The Wildcats led 58-37 at the end of the third quarter, however large leads are not time to rest.
“When we're fortunate enough to get a lead, we want to work on our execution, work on our offensive movement. We want to work on our defensive responsibilities,” Carrington said. “The first half wasn't as good as the second half. You could see the rust kind of come off.
"We weren't really happy with where we were in the first half, part of it had to do with how well Calvary played.
Rebounding has been something Carrington emphasized after Tuesday's win.
“We've got to rebound as a unit before we can run.”
While the tournament can be a time to refocus following a break, preparing for a conference slate that includes Rabun Gap, Asheville Christian and Asheville School is also part of the purpose.
"We know what we've got to face getting into those type of teams," Carrington said. "Anytime you get to play in a holiday game going into conference play, it helps."
Carolina Day has won six consecutive NCISAA 2-A state titles, but a measure of humility came early this season in a 59-57 loss to Concord First Assembly.
"We know we can be beaten,” Carrington said.
"Each team that we've had here has its own personality. They're not really living on the past. We tell everybody we're starting a new journey every year."
