Girls basketball’s impressive playoff run ended March 3 with a loss at Northwest in the regional semi-final playoff game. Northwest proved to be the more dominant team as the Jaguars defeated the Lady Bulldogs 53-31.
CHS fell behind in the first quarter, scoring only four points and was forced to play catch-up the entire game, but could not overcome the Jaguars’ tough defense.
“I think we should have driven a lot more to the basket,” senior captain Leeda Jewayni said.
“Once we realized our outside shots were not falling, getting to the free throw line should have been our next priority since we’re pretty good as a team with free throws.”
Despite the loss, CHS pulled off a remarkable road win the round before at Springbrook, upsetting the 17-4 Blue Devils, 58-45, March 1.
“The biggest key to winning against Springbrook was rebounding,” Jewayni said. “By rebounding more this game, we had more opportunities to put in missed shots or push the ball up quicker on a defensive rebound.”
Jewayni led CHS in scoring that game with 20 points, including three three-pointers. Junior Sarafina Arthur-Williams had a commanding game, compiling 19 points and 18 rebounds. Senior Giulia Giannangeli added 10 points, and junior Jill Beauregard contributed nine points, including two clutch three-pointers.
“In the game we could have worked on our defense and shooting,” Arthur-Williams said. “We fixed the problems in the fourth quarter though.”
CHS trailed after three quarters, but came out strong in the fourth. Jewayni led the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth quarter to victory with 11 points as the team outscored Springbrook 25-10 in the final quarter.
“Our keys to winning the game were how everyone played with confidence and determination,” Arthur-Williams said.
CHS also won big in the first round, defeating Paint Branch at home 51-35 Feb. 26. The Bulldogs pounced on Paint Branch early, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and never let Paint Branch come close.
“One of the main keys was our inside game,” Jewayni said. “We had a lot more height than those girls so we had to get the ball inside to take advantage of that.”
Jewayni had a game high with 16 points along with four steals. CHS out-rebounded its opponents as junior Kim Deausen grabbed a career high 10 rebounds, and Arthur-Williams added 20 boards with 15 points.
“Overall, I do think our season was successful,” Jewayni said. “We got to the semifinals and beat teams that many people didn’t believe we could.”
CHS will lose seniors Jewayni, Molly Coleman and Giannangeli, but the team will have 9 returning players next year.
“I think we will have a good team next year,” Arthur-Williams said. “But we should work on defense and shooting.”
