GIRLS BASKETBALL: Offense sputters, but Basic earns win

Basic girls basketball coach Maurice McIntosh wasn’t quite sure what to think as he left the gym Wednesday.

On the one hand, his players had just completed a strong defensive performance. On the other, they struggled to score.

Either way, the Wolves defeated Wooster 40-22 in the final game of the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament at Basic.

Krista Kachnik led Basic with 11 points and seven rebounds, helping the Wolves take control by dominating the fourth quarter.

“I thought we played hard on defense today,” McIntosh said. “Our biggest problem is scoring. We just can’t seem to score. You can only play so much defense without offense. You’ve got to score eventually.”

The Wolves got just enough early scoring to escape the first quarter with a 12-6 lead, thanks in part to Gail Robinson’s 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:28 remaining.

Basic, which committed 26 turnovers, struggled to extend the lead until late in the half, when Robinson hit a 13-footer and Tajza Eddings nailed a desperation 3 at the buzzer for a 22-12 lead.

But the Wolves, who shot only 26 percent, were limited to three field goals in the third quarter, and the Colts kept their deficit manageable at 28-19 entering the fourth.

That’s when Basic’s defense took over. Wooster was held scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter, committing eight turnovers and allowing the Wolves to seize control.

“That was our defense,” McIntosh said. “I think we just wore them down. Our press just wore them down.”

Jordan Nitta scored five points in the fourth for Basic, which opened the quarter with 10-0 run.

“It’s always nice to get a win,” McIntosh said. “We’re young, and that’s the biggest thing. We’re starting from the ground up, trying to build confidence and skill.”

Robinson had eight points and five rebounds for the Wolves, and Eddings added seven points, eight rebounds and nine steals.

Canyon Springs 51, Denver East (Colo.) 22 — At Basic, three Pioneers scored in double figures to help Canyon Springs roll past the Angels in the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament.

Dayonna Maddox scored 14 points to lead the Pioneers, who blew open a close game with a 21-4 second-quarter run.

Jeanette Fine helped Canyon Springs with 12 points, and teammate Yemiyah Morris added 11 points.

Centennial 60, Riverdale Baptist (Md.) 33 — At Phoenix, Justice Ethridge had 16 points as the Bulldogs downed the Crusaders in the Tournament of Champions.

Samantha Thomas added 13 pooints, and Eboni Walker had eight points and 10 rebounds for Centennial, which outscored Riverdale Baptist 26-3 in the second quarter.

Chanel Belton paced the Crusaders with 12 points.