The gym buzzed with anticipation on Dec. 6, as the girls basketball team prepared to take on TERRA Environmental. From the moment the ball left the referee’s hand at the tip-off, it was clear the Lady Cavaliers had come to make a statement. After many months of rigorous pre-season training, led by Coach Pena and Coach Purcell, the girls now hold a 3-4 record after their recent win against the TERRA Wolves, with the score being 50-19.
In the first quarter, the players set the tone from the get-go. They swarmed their opponents on both offense and defense, passing up and down the court while stealing any loose balls. Within minutes, sophomore Sophia Guim found herself under the net, scoring five points in the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter, junior Aniyah Coffie was playing her best offensive game, passing up to teammates and constantly shooting the ball.
It was not just one or two players stepping up—it was a team effort which contributed to the early success of the Cavaliers. Sophomore Jenae McKinney’s persistent energy kept TERRA guessing, scoring five points. Junior Jasmin Abu-Zaraybah also scored 10 points which added onto their success. Another player who stood out Friday night was junior Sela Pena, who scored a total of 12 points along with two steals.
In the second quarter, the girls scored a total of 13 points to TERRA’s five points, building a comfortable lead leading into halftime. Although Gables was in the lead, the team did not let this stop them from continuing to score points. The Lady Cavaliers defensive plays were the highlights of the game, as they forced the Wolves into tough shots and many turnovers, finishing the game with a notable 14 steals. Sophomore Yaretzi Acevedo and senior Kamaryia Dekle led the defense with hustling plays, lessening TERRA’s chances to get to the rim.
“Our defense was on point that night. We communicated and worked together as a team. Our chemistry was definitely one of the best aspects of the game; it was great,” sophomore Yaretzi Acevedo said.
One of the more notable moments of the game occurred in the last 10 seconds. With the clock winding down, junior Coffie dribbled near half-court, looking around the court for an open teammate to pass to. Defenders swarmed her and cut off all of her passing options, forcing her to make a quick decision. With only a second left, she decided to launch the ball, far behind the three-point line. Just as the ball swished through the net, the crowd burst into cheers, filling the room with much energy and cheers. Ending the third quarter on a high note, the players looked to take the momentum into the final period of the game.
