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Girls Basketball: Brianna Blackwell, hot-shooting Whiting hold on
Updated: December 6, 2011 10:45PM
VALPARAISO — The extra shooting practice Whiting’s Brianna Blackwell has been doing everyday is paying huge dividends for the sophomore. She was was impressive to say the least, leading Whiting to a 40-31 win over host Morgan Township.
Blackwell led all scorers with 21 points with a strong showing from the 3-point line, hitting 6-of-7 en route to the Whiting victory.
“I feel good on the floor and just try to take whatever is given to me,” Blackwell said. “And I had an opportunity to shoot and felt confident with my shot.”
Blackwell got things going early for Whiting as she connected on all four of her 3-point shots in the first quarter to give Whiting a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Whiting applied a solid defensive attack on Morgan Township that created some havoc as the Cherokees struggled early, committing costly turnovers. Whiting also got an impressive showing from its other guard, Citlali Lopez, who also found her mark from the 3-point line. The duo was 8-for-12 from the outside to give Whiting a 22-14 lead at the half.
Morgan Township came out aggressive in the second half, led by sophomore Trina Coleman. Morgan Township applied its own defensive pressure that turned things around as the Cherokees got within two points of Whiting late in the fourth quarter.
But it was the smart, aggressive play by Lopez that turned things back around as she caused some key turnovers late in the game. She also shot 6-of-6 from the free throw line to secure the Whiting win.
“We played well in the first half but seemed to get lazy in the third quarter,” Whiting coach Kevin Moynihan said. “But were able to regain our momentum in the fourth. Give credit to all the girls, especially Brianna Blackwell with her solid shooting and Citlali Lopez with her defensive play which were key to the win tonight.”
Whiting (5-2) was led in scoring by Blackwell with her 21 points followed by Lopez with 13.
Morgan Township (3-5) was led by Coleman who scored 18 points in the loss.
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