Eastside Catholic girls basketball thrashes Seattle Prep
Eastside Catholic’s girls basketball team thrashed Seattle Prep at a home game Wednesday, 74-35. The win allowed Eastside Catholic to solidify their position in the top half of the Metro Mountain standings.
The Crusaders had a blistering start in the first quarter, scoring 13 points without response from the Seattle Prep Panthers. The Panthers found some form after that, scoring six points in quick succession. Seattle Prep opted to go direct in the paint, often running into trouble against the Eastside Catholic defenders. The Crusaders, in contrast, preferred to take their time on the ball and were comfortable passing around the three-point line before taking their chance. Their organization allowed them to finish the first quarter with an early 15-6 lead.
In the second quarter, the Crusaders sought to increase their lead through the same strategies they implemented in the first quarter. Crusader Amy Nduka sank a three-pointer from left court, increasing the advantage to 13 points. Seattle Prep threw many deep shots, but they were often short of the mark. The Crusaders were able to limit their opposition’s chances by winning the ball and countering quickly on the other side of the court. The Panthers’ chances were repeatedly limited to free throws, which Kylin Kinchen was able to take with precision. Their restarts, however, were often rough, giving away the ball and allowing for the opposition’s counter. Seattle Prep showed fight, but it was not enough compared to the Crusaders’ physical play. They went into the halftime break leading 32-15.
Coming back from the break, the Crusaders continued their dominant display as Sophie Lugolobi scored five points within a minute. Seattle Prep was able to grab points as well in the first minutes of the game through quick counters in the space left unguarded by the Eastside Catholic defense. The Panthers were able to find space inside the paint better in the quarter, picking up points, but were limited by their finishing, which often let them down during good chances. Eastside Catholic’s ability to counter with speed, often utilizing a runner, benefited them again. They were up 53-28 going into the final quarter.
Finishing and handling let the Panthers down once again in the 4th quarter, with their drives into the paint bettering the Crusader defenders, but nothing coming out of these chances. The home team showed no sign of stopping and did not slow down from exhaustion, continuing their strategy of quick turnarounds and catching the defenders out of position. Raquel Dunnam was a key part of the Crusaders’ attack, either operating as a runner or a playmaker searching for an open teammate to execute a simple layup. The Crusaders put on a clinic and concluded the game at 74-35.
