Millbrook girls shut down Judges
Posted: January 5, 2013
WINCHESTER — When a team’s as successful as the Millbrook girls’ basketball team has been over the years, it’s easy to forget that most of their players have yet to play in an emotional varsity district game.
But fortunately for the Pioneers, while precise execution might not have been a constant, hard-nosed defense was, and Millbrook emerged with a 50-29 victory over Handley Friday night at Casey Gymnasium in the Northwestern District opener for both teams.
Oftentimes flummoxed by Millbrook’s zone, the Judges (5-5, 0-1 Northwestern) hit just 12 of 48 shots and committed 30 turnovers against the Pioneers (10-1, 1-0).
With only three returners, Millbrook coach Debby Sanders said it was good for the team to experience a game against a rival in front of large crowd, because maybe this way, they won’t be as nervous for the next district game.
Because bottom line, Sanders thinks Millbrook definitely can’t count on having a night like Friday’s and count on being successful. The Pioneers made just 28 percent of their shots (14 of 50) and had 21 turnovers themselves.
“I credit Handley for their quickness and their ability to work hard,” Millbrook coach Debby Sanders said. “They came in to work hard and make us earn everything we got, and I thought [Handley coach] Marvin [Scott’s] kids did a good job of that, and we didn’t execute as well as we’re capable of executing.
“We’re 11 games in, and they’ve got to learn [to be more efficient].”
The Pioneers led 19-12 with 5:10 left in the second quarter, and they didn’t shake free of Handley until a bucket by Brenna Cook (16 points, nine rebounds, four steals) and a 3-pointer from Ky Rooks (16 points) — which came 13 seconds apart and were both off offensive rebounds — put Millbrook up 24-12 with 4:37 left, and it continued to hold a double-digit advantage from there.
While the win wasn’t perfect, Rooks said it was good to see the Pioneers come together when they needed to.
“Getting the first district win was really important for us, she said. “It boosts up our confidence and gets us on the right path.”
Handley was led by Angelica Robinson (10 points, 10 rebounds). Scott said he was proud of her effort, and the team’s as a whole.
“We’re a young team,” Scott said. “They saw something tonight in themselves, and if it carries on, we’re going to be fine. They’re not afraid of adversity, and they came right [at Millbrook].”
The Pioneers now travel to face district rival Sherando Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in the first game of a girls’ and boys’ doubleheader.
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.comFollow on Twitter @WinStarSports1