Post Photo by Chris Siers Senior Hailey Giel defends the low post and forces a turnover against Forrest’s Cadence Chapman.
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CHAPEL HILL — Cascade coach Janie Demonbreum has wanted to see consistency from her team in getting an early lead and maintaining it into the second half.
The Lady Champs (9-13, 3-3) did just that as Cascade got back to .500 in the district standings with the 58-29 win at Forrest.
“Last year, we did’t know how to hold a lead. Tonight, we knew how to hold a lead and we talked about how it was important for us to continue a lead in the third quarter. We’re starting to hang our hats on our defense. I’m just proud of how our girls are playing defensively right now,” she said.
It was a balanced attack in the first half for the Lady Champs, with Sophie Ray leading the inside game in the first quarter and effectively able to attack the low post and work her way to the free throw line.
Point guard Kaegan Young complemented Ray’s inside attack and was able to hit some jump shots to balance the Lady Champion offense in the first half.
Ray went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the first half and Young added 11 points, including a second-quarter 3-pointer.
While the offense was effective, the defense was efficient and held the Lady Rockets to just four points in the first frame.
When playing through Cadence Chapman, the Forrest composure on the offensive end of the court turned into more of a bully ball approach, but Cascade was able to adjust and distribute the ball to the scorers to build a 35-18 halftime lead.
Jumping out to an early lead, albeit important, was key for Cascade, however taking that lead and extending it after halftime was one of the biggest takeaways for Demonbreum.
“It’s really big. It’s really big for our confidence and it’s big for our confidence as we’re winding down this season. We know what we have to do to finish where we want to finish. Tonight’s one of those nights was one of those nights we kind of capitalized on,” she said.
Ray and Young combined for 32 points to lead Cascade, while Kinslee Inlow led the Lady Rockets with 12.
Cascade will look for its second win of the week on Friday as the Lady Champs step out of district play and travel to Santa Fe.
Earlier this season, Cascade took a 52-26 win over the Lady Wildcats.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
Cascade 15 20 13 10 — 58
Forrest 4 14 4 7 — 29
Cascade: Sophie Ray 17, Kaegan Young 15, Suzanna Crews 15, Kaydence Miller 5, Laina Carter 2, Avery Villapahia 2, Anna Clanton 2.
Forrest: Kinslee Inlow 12, Adisyn Howes 6, Cadence Chapman 4, Josie Brown 3, Maddy Ille 2, Kaylin Pope 2,
3-Point goals: Cascade (3): Crews, Young, Miller; Forrest (4): Inlow 3, Brown.
Halftime score: Cascade 35, Forrest 18.
