Alba-Golden Lady Panthers stopped by Cooper

Posted 1/27/22

The Cooper Bulldogettes used an avalanche of third-quarter scoring to secure a 71-30 win over the visiting Alba-Golden Lady Panthers last Tuesday.

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Alba-Golden Lady Panthers stopped by Cooper

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The Cooper Bulldogettes used an avalanche of third-quarter scoring to secure a 71-30 win over the visiting Alba-Golden Lady Panthers last Tuesday.

Cooper broke the game open in the second half with a suffocating full-court press. The press caused a third quarter self-destruction by Alba-Golden in the back court, as they struggled to get the ball past half court.

The hoame side put up 26 points in the third quarter to secure the win. That explosion of scoring came after a thoroughly-competitive first half of action. 

Two events early in the game pointed toward a possible landslide win by Cooper. Midway through the first quarter, Cooper platooned a new set of players off the bench. They used the same tactic early in the second half. In between platooning, the Bulldogettes substituted players at will, with practically no loss of court effectiveness.

The second foretelling came in warm-ups. While shooting lay-ups from the left side of the key, each member of the Cooper side launched off their right foot and used their left hand to lay the ball in. There were no exceptions; the team was fundamentally-talented. 

The Lady Panthers gave them quite a first-half challenge. First quarter action was often end-to-end. The Lady Panthers scored thrice in the opening quarter. Erin Langston contributed with an offensive rebound put-back, while Kylie Kennedy benefitted from a great assist from Langston. At the quarter break the score stood 10-5, Cooper.

Although Cooper applied the press to some effectiveness in the second quarter, the Lady Panthers were able to break it and usually converted a score. Cacie Lennon flew through the Cooper press on the dribble and obviously sought-out contact as she penetrated double teams. 

It was not the press which won the second quarter but the offensive rebounding by the Cooper squad. Had the Lady Panthers been able to control the defensive boards, the game would have been a draw at the half. 

After hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer, Cooper took a 26-15 advantage into the break.

Fueled by full-court press turnovers and sustained by the platooning of fresh legs, Cooper quickly built a winning margin in the second half.   

Kennedy led Alba-Golden scorers with 16 points.

Alba-Golden lost to Quinlan Boles 41-40 Friday. The Lady Hornets made two free throws with 58 seconds to go and the Lady Panthers did not score on two final possessions.

The Lady Panthers also fell to Cumby at home last Wednesday.

The Lady Panthers began the second round of district play Tuesday at Como-Pickton and host North Hopkins Friday.