With a six-game losing streak, the girls basketball team was determined to prove itself in its homecoming game on Jan. 18. And the Cavs did, beating Cristo Rey 38-23 to improve to 2-8 overall and 1-6 in league play.
Senior Heidi Johnson led Country Day with 25 points, followed by sophomores Naomi Cohen and Anna Fluestch with four each, sophomores Lindsay Burback and Joanne Tsai with two each, and senior Brandy Riziki with one.
The game started off slowly for the Cavs, who trailed 6-0, but Johnson stole the ball and passed to Riziki, who then passed to Cohen. Cohen drove to the basket, scoring the first points for the Cavs.
After the Saints (0-10, 0-7) scored two more points, Fluetsch scored after grabbing a rebound, cutting Cristo Rey’s lead to 8-4.
After a brief timeout, Johnson dribbled downcourt and scored for the Cavs. At the end of the first quarter, the Cavs trailed 8-6.
As the second quarter began, the teams alternated scoring. The Cavs were behind 10-8, but Johnson scored to make it 10-10.
During the middle of the second quarter, both teams struggled on offense until finally Fluetsch pulled down a rebound and scored.
Johnson then made three baskets to Cristo Rey’s one, giving the Cavs an 18-12 lead at halftime.
During halftime, the lower schoolers in the crowd waved their pompoms and sang Country Day’s fight song.
Then, as the third quarter began, both teams continued scoring, but the Cavs inched forward, leading 23-14.
“Our defense was really good, and we were able to steal a lot of their balls, ” Fluetsch said.
In a struggle over the ball, Johnson fell to the ground injured but quickly recovered.
The spectators started to cheer “Let’s go, Cavs! Let’s go!” while clapping and stomping their feet.
Riziki then made a free throw to give the Cavs a 24-14 lead.
Riziki missed the second free throw, but the Cavs still gained possession of the ball. After the Saints failed to score, Johnson grabbed the rebound and dribbled downcourt to score.
Johnson scored two more baskets before the third quarter ended.
The game ended with a basket by Burback.
The crowd was on its feet, cheering on the girls and their second victory of the season.
Although the night ended with a victory, the girls agreed that they could have played better.
“We were great on defense tonight, but we were a bit sloppy and needed to tighten up,” coach Latonia Pitts said.
The Cavs’ next game is Saturday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at Valley Christian.
—By Arikta Trivedi
