Newcastle’s girls made the drive to Blanchard on Tuesday, December 12 to turn around and come home with the 41-22 win.
The Racers led scoring on three of four quarters to make their season record 4-1. They scored 11 points to Blanchad’s one in the first quarter, and then added a 10-8 second quarter, and a 14-5 third quarter, before giving Blanchard the 8-6 edge in the fourth.
Coach Nichole Copeland said, “We started fast with an 11-1 first quarter, knocking down shots and getting it done on the defensive end of the floor.
“Even when the offense stalled at times, we locked on defensively and controlled the tempo and flow of the game throughout.”
Copeland said the Racers were solid, executing their defensive game plan “for the most part.” She said Blanchard kept the game within striking distance into the third quarter, but the Racers came on and hit a couple of late shots to stretch the lead back to 21 going into the fourth.
“Amber Ellis built off a great game and response from the Harrah Tournament with a 6 point and 7 rebound effort,” Copeland said. “She was active the whole game, playing strong and physical, winning rebounds and keeping possessions alive for us.
“In a game where we struggled to make shots, Emerson Marble came in and was massive. She knocked down two big time threes — one in the first and one in the second — and both reignited our spark offensively a little bit. Her energy on the defensive end showed as well, getting tips and steals and pulling in a few rebounds.
“She was definitely an X-factor for us and made a huge difference in this game.”
Reagan Greenroyd had 9 points, and 7 rebounds, and Leah Bradley had 5 points and 3 rebounds.
Copeland said the Racers played a balanced game.
She said, “We had seven players score and every player scored at least five points each. When we get that kind of balanced production we are a tough team to play.”
