FEB 14, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-
In the last game of the regular season, the Blazers fell 52-47 to a talented Paint Branch team. Blair finished the season with a 10-11 record, and the Panthers improved to 16-4 for the year.
The game was competitive from start to finish, as neither team had a lead of more than seven. The Blazers shot well from the field and played good defense, but could not overcome sloppy passes and the Panthers' overpowering rebounding. The Blazers had the edge at halftime and after three quarters, with five point leads, but were outscored 19-9 in the fourth quarter.
The score was tied at 43 with 4:00 remaining when, the Blazer shots stopped falling. The Panthers then went on a 7-0 run over the next 3:40, obtaining their first lead since the first quarter. With 18 seconds left, senior center Allyson Swailes grabbed a Blazer rebound off of junior center Emily Ramsay's missed free throw, and made a lay up as part of her three-point play, cutting the lead to three. Unfortunately, key Panther free-throws put the game out of reach.
Swailes believes that the team mentally fell apart in the second half. "We kind of stopped playing at halftime. It wasn't the intensity; we kept the intensity up- we just thought we had wonm," she said.
Senior guard Jennifer Sindall led the team with 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and five steals. Swailes finished with eight points and seven rebounds, while Ramsay added nine points and five boards. Sophomore guard Brittany Higgins scored ten points of her own. Senior guard Lara Dean led the team with six assists as Junior forward Caroline Kuttner grabbed a team high ten rebounds.
Coach William Lindsay is dissatisfied with the outcome, but feels that the team played well. "I was very disappointed that we didn't win, but I was very pleased that they played this well against the 12th ranked team in the area, (by The Washington Post). We played well enough to win," he said.
The Blazers' first playoff game is at Springbrook on March 1 at 7:00. The Devils beat Blair twice this season, both times by five points.
Zach Mellman. Zach Mellman was born on October 18, 1956 (he was held back once or twice). He has lived in Takoma Park, Maryland his entire life. He is currently a senior at Blair enrolled in honors classes. He is also a member of Blair's golf team, … More »
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