On Jan. 22, the varsity girls were without 5’11” sophomore Yasmin Gupta. The center, who averages 17 points a game, was away on vacation.
But the girls still prevailed over the Buckingham Charter Knights, 34-25, at home.
Senior Julia Owaidat and freshman Heidi Johnson were the top scorers, with 11 points apiece.
According to coach Matt Vargo, sophomore Katia Dahmani and Johnson led the team defensively.
Dahmani nabbed six steals while Johnson grabbed six rebounds.
But still, according to Owaidat and Vargo, the girls as a team need to improve rebounding.
Owaidat also said that the Cavs’ huge potential is being stunted by a lack of following through.
“We are really good with fast breaks,” Owaidat said. “We just have to finish our layups. If we do that, we’ll be winning by 20 (points) rather than 10 every game.”
From the start, the Cavs maintained a lead, ending the first quarter, 14-9.
In the second quarter, both teams were very aggressive defensively, but the Cavs stayed ahead, finishing 17-11.
In the third quarter, the Cavs really found their stride, ending the quarter, 28-14, with double the amount of points as the Knights.
Despite the Knights’ fourth-quarter attempt at a comeback, the Cavs’ lead was too big.
According to Owaidat, Buckingham had a lot of offensive blunders.
“(They) just didn’t move the ball well,” Owaidat said. “They had a lot of messy turnovers.”
The girls next will play the dreaded Valley Christian Lions (4-0.)
Because Valley is a two-time defending section champion, the team remains the Cavs’ biggest challenge.
However, during summer league the girls defeated Valley. Can they do it again?
Come to the home game on Tuesday, Jan. 26 to find out. It starts at 6 p.m.
—By Chardonnay Needler
