by Article via Jeff R Sabo
It is often said defense gets the job done and can get the victory and even championships.
For the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees, it worked in the second half against their Suburban League foes the Hudson Explorers in a girls varsity basketball matchup. Both teams were 5-1 going into the game and only one could get a victory.
Defense not only got them the lead in the second half but also a 59-48 win over the Hudson Explorers.
Despite being down 24-22 at halftime, the Bees hunkered down and stung the Explorers with defense and buckets inside the paint and from behind the arc.
“We don’t start the game defensively real great to start the last six or seven games”, said Brecksville Bees head coach Joe Zenir after the game. “We switched up a little bit tonight and did some different matchups.”
Junior Caiya La would help spark the Bees offense with buckets inside early on in the third quarter. Despite being down two when the quarter starter, steals and three ball shots by the Bees would give them a 45-36 lead going to the fourth quarter. The Bees were helped by three balls by Grace Kucharski and Lexi Ganley in that quarter as well.
La would finish the game with 21 points. It was her second 20 plus point game in a row.
The Bees would take the momentum going to the fourth quarter with a quick score and some free throws after Hudson head coach Dennis Lawler was called for a technical foul less than one minute into the fourth quarter. With 6:04 left to go in the fourth quarter, Brecksville was up 49-38.
From that point on, each time Hudson scored, the Bees would counter and answer back to maintain a double digit lead for most of the fourth quarter.
Hudson had the momentum in the first half as sophomore guard Ashli Pearson got the Explorers on the board to start off and eventually have 10 points by the middle of the second quarter. Hudson shot 50% from the free throw line in the first quarter and regained the lead at times in the first half.
It was a tale of two halves though as Brecksville’s defense helped them create turnovers, scores, and a double digit lead to walk away with their sixth win of the season.
“To be honest, we didn’t shoot very well in the first half,” Zenir commented when being asked about the first half. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We just missed a lot of shots we didn’t make. So we said girls we believe a whole ton in you.”
