(GIRLS) Heritage Woods with convincing win over Holy Cross on Day 1

Heritage Woods Kodiaks vs. Holy Cross Crusaders

Written by Larry Donohoe

In the night cap at Carson Graham, Heritage Woods Kodiaks took on the Holy Cross Crusaders. To open up the game, both teams tried to play an up-tempo style. Heritage and Holy Cross traded a three for a two respectively to open up the scoring. Holy Cross set up in a 1-2-2 zone press to push the tempo they wanted to play, as both of their early hoops were scored in transition. A nice reverse lay-up by Holy Cross’s, #21, Amy Rokosh gives the Crusaders an early 2-point lead with 6:03 left in the first quarter. Both teams are pressing and causing turnovers. So far, this game is proving it’s going to be a highly contested event. Consecutive turnovers by the Kodiaks gave a 4-point lead to Holy Cross with just over 3 minutes left in the first quarter. Holy Cross is small and quick and gave the bigger Heritage Woods team all they can handle. Score at the end of the first: Holy Cross 17, Heritage Woods 13. 

The Kodiaks, Jenny Lee opened the scoring in the second quarter. Holy Cross only knows one speed, FAST! However, playing fast has its perils as Heritage Woods closed the gap to 1 with a couple of turnovers by the Crusaders. Rokosh for the Crusaders and Lee for the Kodiaks led the balanced scoring with 6 and 5 points respectively halfway through the second quarter.  Ella Nielsen gave Hertitage Woods their first lead of the game 23-22 on a contested lay-up. A 10-0 run is capped off by Kate Mean of the Kodiaks whose consecutive hoops stretched the lead to 7.

Halftime score: 29-22 HW Kodiaks

Rebecca Green of Heritage Woods opened the scoring in third quarter. The Kodiaks were on a 18-0 run since late in the second quarter. They went up 15 with 5:54 left in the third. A banked three by the Crusaders, Emily Rokosh stopped the run of the Kodiaks, but Heritage Woods established their biggest lead of the game (18 pts) with 2:34 left in the third. As the game progressed Heritage Woods imposed their will on the feisty Crusaders. Jenny Lee hit a deep corner three to make it a 21 point lead with less than minute left in the third. The score after three Heritage Woods 50, Holy Cross 31.

In the fourth the Crusaders came out with new energy and intensity.  Unfortunately, the turnovers they caused did not result in closing the 19 point gap.  A quick 4-0 run by Heritage Woods looked to have put this one out of reach.  Yet Holy Cross had infectious enthusiasm.  Even down by 20 the players on the floor and especially the bench were fired up! Heritage Woods is just more polished early in the season.

Final Score: Heritage Woods 70, Holy Cross 46

Player of the Game - #22, Kate Mean - Heritage Woods – 18 pts