by Red hot Mentor rolled into St. Joe’s today and picked up the 59-31 win.
The first quarter was action packed with the Jaguars providing an early punch as they took a 6-0 lead in the first 3 minutes with some great plays to open up 2 threes. #Ailish Ruane got in the game for them and gave them the spark they needed to open the floor up. The game started to get a little more physical as Mentor picked up the pace with their demanding presence from Ashlyn McKinney and Lyla Willis playing the passing lanes almost to perfection. Hayley Mcclintock added to this by playing some lockdown 1v1 defense. They not only tied the game up but then went on 12-2 run to end the quarter ahead 18-11.
The second quarter followed the same blueprint that the end of the first quarter did. With Mentor upping the intensity once again. The defense was superb. Nina Rodriguez lit a fire under them as she came in and controlled the pace of the offense, scoring two easy fast break layups and even launching a 24 footer halfway through the quarter. The confidence and calmness she exuded the entire quarter pushed the Cardinals to a 37-16 halftime.
The second half jumped off to a stalemate. Both teams trying to figure out new ways to get going. Mentor eventually got back in their groove with their stellar defense leading the charge and getting them some fast transition buckets. St Joes unfortunately struggled to get anything concrete going and that played right into the hands of the Cardinals. Peyton Willis, for Mentor provided some great offense for them in the 3rd quarter that ramped the team up to a 54-24 lead to end the third quarter.
Player of the game for me and it may be consensus was Nina Rodriguez. She was poised the entire time and controlled the game on both ends of the floor with great communication while totaling her season average of 19 points. Both teams look to continue their seasons and build on good habits. Final score of the game: 59-31.
