A sluggish start marred by turnovers induced by a stingy
Longhorns’ defense doomed the Cougars from tip off as they fell
behind by 25 by the end of the first half in a 55-24 loss to the
Longhorns in the first round of the Dons Club Holiday Tournament on
Monday in Campbell.
The Christopher High girls varsity basketball team played the second half against Leigh High School basically even. Defensive intensity, better ball movement and shot conversions left the Cougars within two points of the Longhorns after the final 16 minutes of play.
However, it took the Cougars the first 16 minutes to get things in order and the Longhorns refused to wait around.
A sluggish start marred by turnovers induced by a stingy Longhorns’ defense doomed the Cougars from tip off as they fell behind by 25 by the end of the first half in a 55-24 loss to the Longhorns in the first round of the Dons Club Holiday Tournament on Monday in Campbell.
“We were definitely lethargic and came out really flat,” second-year CHS head coach Heather Stewart said. “We were not physically or mentally ready to play that game. Little things that they already know how to do, they didn’t do.”
The Cougars last laced their sneakers Dec. 16 in a win against Stevenson and hadn’t spent much time in the gym since.
“I knew what we were up against,” Stewart said. “It hurts that we have had only one practice since our last game. So we need to get into the gym, get in shape and get some of our offensive plays down.”
Practice started once the team arrived back in Gilroy.
“We have our work cut out for us over the next couple weeks,” Stewart added.
The Longhorns busted out to a quick 7-0 lead behind 5-foot-11 center Lauren Holt, who posted a game-high 26 points – most of which coming in the paint.
Hanna Tabron put the Cougars on the board, banking in a layup four minutes into the first quarter. After a Holt hoop and foul, Tabron netted the Cougars’ last points of the quarter as the Longhorns went on a 12-0 run to leave the score 23-4 after one period of play.
“Our intensity wasn’t there,” said Tabron, who registered 22 of the team’s 24 points, including 14 in the second half.
The Cougars were held to just four points on 2-of-13 from the floor, struggling at times with the Longhorns’ pressure defense.
“We have to be better at our press break,” Tabron said.
CHS matched Leigh shot for shot in the third quarter as Tabron hit three shots and Mariza Rodriguez had a nifty board and bucket.
“We can take our intensity from that second half and bring it with us next game. We have to improve on everything that set us back today,” said point guard Haylee Peterson, who had three steals in the game.
The Cougars have their chance at redemption tomorrow as the tournament continues with a 3 p.m. contest right back at Del Mar High School in Campbell.
“I said it at halftime, everybody has to be a scorer, everyone has to be a threat,” Stewart said. “It’s a confidence thing. We will get there.”
