On January 3, Greenwood defeated Veritas 57-51 thanks in large part to the efforts of Bekah Brinser and Sylvia Gantt.
Gantt scored all of her points by draining 16 of 18 from the line, while Brinser recorded a triple double (12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals, five assists, and three blocks for good measure).
Brinser led the Wildcats to the thrilling victory and improved their record to 8-2 by scoring eight of her 12 points and creating multiple momentum-turning steals in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Brinser clarified, “You try to play a little bit harder in the heat of the moment.” I was able to play a little tougher and take more chances in the fourth quarter, especially since I hadn’t been given a fourth foul.
According to Greenwood captain Jeff Deitz, “I will take 16 out of 18 from anybody because (Brinser) made senior plays when a senior needed to, and we focused on (free throws) the last few days of practice.” It’s huge when you can make a game-changing shot in the fourth quarter of a close game and win five out of six.
The lead changed hands six times during the game, which was a back-and-forth contest with the outcome hanging in the balance for the majority of the evening.
After one quarter, the Monarchs led 16–14 thanks to eight runs from Lillian Thompson and a deep 3-ball from Megan Kmiec that gave Veritas an early 3-2 lead. Thompson finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Kmiec finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Observing the ball When the Wildcats played Veritas Academy on January 3rd, Greenwood’s Sylvia Gantt searched for a deal. (Photo by Brooke Myers)Times of Perry County
Sophie Myers scored five points in a quick burst early in the second to even the score at 20–20. Myers had seven points, seven rebounds, and two steals in the end. Gantt then put the Cats ahead 24–20 by making four consecutive shots from the line. Later, to increase the lead to 31–25, Danica Zurenko, who finished with 10 points and six rebounds, hit a 3-ball.
By halftime, though, the tenacious Monarchs had reduced the deficit to 31-29. Veritas led 37-36 after a basket from Natalie Cochran halfway through the third. With ten points, eighteen rebounds, and six blocks, Cochran had a fantastic night in the loss.
According to Veritas coach Marissa Kmiec, whose team is 8-2, “(Cochran) is my floor leader; she knows how to take over a game and is a (consistent) double-double.” It is what she brings, and she can rule the boards like no one else.
Things stayed close throughout the majority of the fourth quarter, with the Monarchs holding onto a 39-38 lead going into it.
According to Deitz, Veritas is a strong team. They got us in districts last year and came in with confidence. They play fast, hard, and well together. They understood that if they played properly and gave us their all, they could defeat us.
Set aside Halfway through the quarter, Georjean Rickard made a jumper to put Greenwood ahead 47-46, and Brinser extended the lead with a steal and fast break basket. Rickard collected three steals and scored six points.
In order to win the hard-fought triumph, Greenwood increased the ante in the closing minutes.
Deitz, whose defense recorded 22 thefts and 11 fourth-quarter turnovers (35 total), stated, “We started to defend a little bit better down the stretch, especially when we were able to take the lead late.”
Coach Kmiec stated, “Greenwood is a great team, I like the way they play basketball, and I think we match up well with them, but we struggled to make our shots in the fourth quarter.” The squad could only make 4 of 12 shots in the fourth quarter and 18 of 50 shots overall.
Due to a lack of available Bulldog players, the Wildcats’ scheduled game against Tri-Valley was postponed until the next day.