Previously undefeated E.T. Richardson girls' basketball team falls to Northley

Northley 28
E.T. Richardson 21
In a battle of the top two teams in the league, the Cougars fell from the ranks of the unbeaten as they dropped a decision to the Northley Vikings, 28-21. In a game the Cougars never led, the team battled until the final buzzer.
ETR struggled from the field as they shot 22 percent in the first half and dug an early hole. Amanda Hopkins and Maggie O’Connell would each score five points to lead their team in scoring.
The Cougars scored a season low five first half points as they trailed 8-5 at the halfway point. The Vikings were led by Kate Lannon’s 17 points in the game as she deposited seven of her ten free trips to the foul line.
The second half saw the teams trade baskets as Jamie Brower worked hard for a put back and O’Connell got on the board with a driving drop shot.
The game started to heat up as each team scored more points in the third quarter then the first half. Bridget Whitaker, Stephanie McCann and Kiley Fasy would play stellar defense as the visiting Cougars tried to claw their way back into the game.
The fourth quarter saw the Cougars get within three points in the early going. McConnell knocked down a three, which was followed by two Jill Condon baskets to make the game interesting.
Gianna Zulli and Bailey O’Brien converted passes into baskets to pressure the hosts.
With the tide turning toward the Cougars, Lannon closed the door with five consecutive points to keep the Cougars at bay.
Mackenzie Schott and Jill Kane had chances late to score but the rim had other ideas as they rolled out.
The team learned a valuable lesson in defeat that when they play as a team good things tend to happen.
E.T. Richardson 31
Haverford 21
In a key league match, the Fords traveled to the friendly confines of the Cougar Cage and left with their second loss of the season.
Both teams entered the game with a single loss each to Northley. Game ten for both teams was a battle for second place in the league standings.
The Cougars bounced back from a tough loss to take a convincing ninth win of the year. The Cougars took an early 7-4 first quarter lead as Amanda Hopkins was dominant throughout.
Hopkins led her team with nine points but was only one of nine from the charity stripe. Jamie Brower contributed as she deposited a Hopkins miss into gold with a nice rebound. Colleen Culbertson scored from outside as her shooting touch has become a team strength.
The second quarter saw the hosts take a commanding 13-4 advantage as Mackenzie Schott scored from the wing and Kiley Fasy scored from the perimeter.
The Fords would not go quietly and scored ten consecutive second quarter points to take a 14-13 advantage into the half.
The third quarter saw an offensive explosion by the blue and gold. The team went back to what they do best, share the ball.
O’Connell knocked down two long range jump shots which were both set up by the team’s excellent passing.
Hopkins then took over as she dominated the paint with two driving baskets. Bridget Whitaker also got in the scoring column on a nice drive to the basket to give her team a six point advantage.
The fourth quarter continued to see the Cougar’s depth as an asset as all 12 players contributed to the victory.
Stephanie McCann and Courtney Clark played tough physical defense as the Fords were limited to a shot each time down the floor. Jill Condon added four key rebounds late in the game to seal the Fords fate.
O’Connell knocked down four consecutive foul shots to seal the team’s key win. Gianna Zulli and Erika Biehl played well at both ends.