Cromwell Girls Come Up Just Short In Nail-Biter

Wes Vork-NSO

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Jan 30, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Cromwell Cardinals fell behind early but came back strong, only to see their comeback effort fall just a tad short as the Cardinals fell to South Sore by a score of 69-67. The Cardinals fell behind 11-0 to start the game but fought their way back by hitting some big 3-point baskets, hitting a total of 14 in the contest.

Brittany Johnson got the Cardinals on the scoreboard as she hit the first of her five 3-pointers on the night to cut the lead to 11-3 at the 13:10 mark of the first half. Cromwell made some defensive adjustments and started pressuring the South Shore ball-handlers, which created turnover opportunities for Cromwell.

Cromwell head coach Terry Sawdey told Northland Sports Online “we are starting to make adjustments, which are helping us get better as a team.” Sawdey added “this was one of the best games we have played as a complete team; we had a variety of players step up and play well tonight, it is fun when we are able to get everyone involved.”

The Cardinals had cut the South Shore lead to six by halftime at 42-36. Cromwell’s first half comeback was led by eight 3-pointers including 4 from Makayleigh Cahoon, Cahoon, who finished with just 12 points was in foul trouble most of the second half. Sawdey mentioned of Cahoon “she has the ability to go inside and get a basket or a rebound; or hit the shot outside and it hurt us without a player of her caliber on the floor. I was very proud of the other girls who stepped up for us.”

South Shore head coach Don Moore told NSO that playing two halves makes quite a difference in players getting a bit tired towards the end. “We play 8 min quarters and here (Wisconsin) and it is 18 min halves in Minnesota, so that’s four more minutes per game.” Moore also added “the one minute rest between quarters don’t sound like much, but it is important when we don’t have a lot of subs.”

Cromwell’s Marlene Wester hit a 3-pointer that cut the South Shore lead to one at 53-52 and then a Cardinal steal created an opportunity to go ahead. The crowd had already begun to cheer when the shot rimmed out and Cromwell could get no closer as they fall by two points Monday night. Brittany Johnson led the Cardinals with 17 points including five 3-pointers, Allie Cahoon finished with 16 and it was Makayleigh Cahoon ending with 12. Cromwell falls to 8-10 on the season and they will face Wrenshall at home Tuesday night.

South Shore was led by Megan Gustafson, who finished with 22 points on the night, Janice Anderson finished with 20 points, Anderson is the sister of Jolene Anderson, who is the University of Wisconsin’s all time scoring leader. Emily Gustafson also added 12 points in the South Shore win.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com