sticky Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Crosby tops REL in Classic final By Doyle Barlow Baytown Sun Published November 12, 2006 BAYTOWN — The inaugural Lady Gander Tip-Off Classic is in the books, and about the only thing REL head coach Terry Gray will be able to find fault with is the ending. Gray’s Lady Ganders made it all the way to the finals of the tournament before their three-day ride came to an end at the hands of a veteran Crosby team. The Lady Cougars held REL to only two points in the first quarter and then coasted the rest of the way to a 51-30 victory. It was the second game of the day for Crosby (4-1), which defeated Port Arthur Memorial, 57-47 in the semifinals. REL (3-2) defeated Dayton on Friday evening in their semifinal matchup. “Our kids need to play together and build some chemistry,†Crosby coach Edwin Egans said. “This was a great tournament. To play this many games this early is only going to help, not hurt.†The championship game was a classic case of youth vs. experience. Crosby started four seniors, while the Lady Ganders started four sophomores. The difference was obvious early on. REL connected on only 1 of 8 field goal attempts in the first quarter, while committing eight turnovers and missing both of their free throw tries. “They were nervous,†Gray said. “It was the first game they had ever played in that meant something. They learned how to get to a championship game this week, now they have to learn what to do when they get in it.†In the second quarter, a layup by Crosby’s LaQuisha Walker pushed the Coogs lead to 25-2, with 4:38 left until halftime. It was at that point that the Lady Ganders finally came to life. After tallying only one field goal through the first 12:43 of the game, REL scored on their next six possessions to make the score 33-15 at intermission. “We’re up and down and that’s what you’re going to have with a young team,†Gray said. “The first quarter we were awful and we played better in the second. In the third quarter we didn’t play well and in the fourth we did.†Crosby’s Creshun White was the only player in double figures for either team with 12 points, eight after intermission. Bianca Johnson chipped in 9 and Ashley Branch 8. For REL, Katherine Henderson led the way with 8 points, with T.J. Hart and Damequia Montgomery scoring 7 each. “ We’re 3-2 at the end of the first week,†Gray said. “We’ll take that.†As for the tournament, Gray was pleased with how it went. “Overall, the tournament was very successful,†he said. “Several teams have already asked to come back and next year we’ll look to improve the field.â€
Recommended Posts