Lady Blazers flatten Kennedy

NELSON H. KOBREN GYMNASIUM, Jan. 14—

The girls' varsity basketball team (10-2) destroyed the Kennedy Cavaliers (8-6) on Saturday morning by a score of 71-49. Though they struggled defensively in the first half, the Lady Blazers maintained a steady lead throughout the game. Blair then stepped up defensively, matching its offensive power and cutting the Gladiators' scoring in half in the third and fourth quarters.

Senior co-captain Johanna Lopez started off the game with a layup seven seconds into the game. As the game began, it seemed that it would be a close one, with Kennedy immediately responding to Lopez's shot. But it was soon clear that Blair was the superior team, pulling ahead by a score of 8-3. Throughout the first quarter, Blair's offense was very strong as the Lady Blazers finished the first eight minutes ahead, 26-16.

The second quarter proved to be more of a challenge for the home team. Blair was only able to score a total of 17 points while allowing Kennedy to score 15. Although they finished the half ahead by a score of 43-31, their lead could have been much stronger had they not missed numerous layups and free throw opportunities.

Head coach Erin Conley explained that her team was able to restrict the Cavaliers' scoring ability much better in the second half. "The girls played really well overall even when we adjusted our defensive strategy at half time," Conley said. The team finished the third quarter with their biggest lead, 58-38. In the final quarter of the game, the intensity that Blair displayed earlier in the game returned, and the girls were able to close out the game by a final score of 71-49.

Senior guard Morgan Chase was impressed with the team's offensive intensity, and wants to apply that same toughness on the defensive end. "Even though our offense was really strong, our defense was a little [relaxed], which is partly why we were basket to basket at some points in the game," Chase said.

Lopez, who missed many of her free throws, believes that the team needs to work on free throws cut down on fouls. "We could have increased our score gap if we hadn't missed so many free throws and made so many fouls out there," Lopez said.

The rest of the season looks promising for the Lady Blazers. If they continue with this forward momentum, Lopez believes that they will be able to win their division in which they are currently 5-0. In preparation for Friday's game, Lopez believes that they need to work on their tempo and intensity. "If we play an up-tempo game, we can definitely win on Friday," she said.

The girls' varsity basketball team will play their next home game on Friday, Jan. 20 against Paint Branch at 7:00 p.m.

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