Blazers win over Sherwood, second straight

JAN. 12, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM—

Blair won its second game in three days, overpowering the Warriors 47-37 to boost its record to 4-7. Blair used its tremendous height advantage, full court press and asphyxiating zone defense to pose serious problems for Sherwood.

Yet again the Blazers were led by sophomore sensation Cate Rassman, whose combination of quickness and height has been tough to defend. Rassman led the Blazers with 17 points, five rebounds and four steals. She played with the same type of tenacity as in the 47-35 victory over Blake on Jan. 12. But Blair's success may still lie on the shoulders of Junior Brittany Higgins, who converted from swingman to point guard before the season. Higgins, who did a fine job setting up the Blazer offense and dishing off key passes, added eight points and four assists.

Rassman knocked down a three to open the contest and the Blazers never let go of the game's momentum, scoring 10 points in the games first three minutes and obtaining a 30-16 halftime lead. In the first half, many tough Blazers shots went in.

But with many Blazer reserves in the game, the Warriors scored 10 unanswered points in the second half to cut the deficit to 36-30. But a three-point play by Rassman had the Blazers turn up their intensity and press a lot in the closing minutes to conclude the game on a high note. Every Blazer got the chance to play tonight in this as this game was put away early.

Rassman commented on the importance of never giving up or lessening the team's intensity. "We try not to take any mercy. We're going to push it the whole 32 minutes," she said.

With the emergence of Rassman as a solid number one option, the Blazers may have one of the most formidable starting frontcourts in the county, with seniors Caroline Kuttner (seven points) and Emily Ramsay (five points) rounding out the other two positions.

The Blazers have continued to play good defensive ball and didn't stop hustling against Sherwood. The Blazers are still in need of a reliable sixth-woman, but aggressive guard Janay Walker (six points) may be this missing link.

Coach William Lindsey still questions his team's poise during crunch time. "We've got to get to the point were we execute better. We get fluttered when anyone picks up the tempo," he said.