CAL's Lady Centurions rallied in the 2nd and 4th quarters to pull out a victory over the top-10 ranked Montgomery Co. Lady Indians and advance to the semifinals of the Republic Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic.

Can't imagine CAL won't show up in the next BGP rankings...

It's hard to win games when you go 5/22 from the field in the 2nd half.

CAL is a VERY nice team. It would not surprise me at all to see them at Diddle Arena in March.

Congrats CAL ladys

It's hard to win games when you go 5/22 from the field in the 2nd half.

CAL is a VERY nice team. It would not surprise me at all to see them at Diddle Arena in March.

 

Yes, it is difficult to win with a low shooting percentage. This has been true of every team CAL has played, indicating some of it must be due to the defensive effort/strategy; however, sometimes it's just one of those days where the ball won't fall in the basket. For example, CAL's Buchanan only scored three points today, way below her double-digit average as she and Slaughter usually share scoring honors. The Lady Indians did a superb defensive job on her. Fortunately for CAL, she knows that means Slaughter or Karst often have more space to work, and the one 3-pointer she finally hit in the 4th quarter was perfect timing.

 

1st quarter: As I anticipated, CAL got off to a sluggish start while Montgomery Co. looked sharp. Their fan support appeared to energize them and Jehlik and Webb kept it rolling with some nice interior passing for an 18-9 first quarter lead. CAL was a step slow, causing them to pick up some fouls and generate little offense other than Slaughter.

 

2nd quarter: A renewed defensive effort and slight changes to slow Jehlik allowed CAL to creep back into it by halftime at 21-20. Hart and Bowman can often score in or around the paint when teams focus too much on Slaughter and Buchanan.

 

3rd quarter: The Lady Indians were on the attack again to begin the 2nd half, extending their lead to a few baskets.

 

4th quarter: CAL patiently worked to erase Montgomery County's lead, limiting their turnovers while creating some for the Lady Indians. Buchanan's three-pointer, Slaughter's agility, and Bowman's free throws sealed the deal in a tight game.

 

Records:

CAL: 9-0

Montgomery Co.: 6-1

 

Both teams have tough match-ups on Tuesday as CAL faces the relentless pressure of an improving Mercy squad and Montgomery County goes up against a talented Butler team. I'm not sure if CAL will be the sole survivor to go to Diddle, but I think Montgomery County will be among the Sweet 16.

CAL must have played some SERIOUS defense to hold Montgomery to only 3 points in the 2nd quarter. Hats off to them.

 

Montgomery will bounce back. Playing great competition prepares them for district and regional and state play every year.

Congrats to CAL.

CAL must have played some SERIOUS defense to hold Montgomery to only 3 points in the 2nd quarter. Hats off to them.

 

Montgomery will bounce back. Playing great competition prepares them for district and regional and state play every year.

 

 

CAL does play serious defense.