(December 27th, 2014) – BRYAN: After a slow start to their season, the Lady Panthers of Stryker have built some serious momentum heading into the bulk of their season.
The Stryker girls took down Fairview 47-28 in their second win in a holiday tournament held in Bryan, and their third victory in a row overall. Freshman Haley Doehrmann and sophomore Taylor Haines were both named to the All-Tournament team on Stryker’s behalf, as both players have been key components to the recent success enjoyed by the Panthers.
Doehrmann hit 5 shots from close range on her way to 13 points in the win against the Apaches. She also connected on 3 of her 4 free throw attempts. Haines hit 4 two-point field goals, also knocking down a three as she put up 11 points in the contest.
The game itself was more or less decided by the conclusion of the third quarter. After building a solid 15-7 lead in the first period, a lackluster offense in the second quarter by the Lady Panthers allowed Fairview back into the contest. However, going into the half, Stryker still enjoyed an 18-13 advantage.
Coming out of the locker room, the girls from Stryker played with fire and tenacity. They took control of the game, dominating both sides of the court. At the end of the third quarter of play, the Panthers had expanded their lead to 15 points, 36-21. They didn’t let up in the fourth and final stanza either. Outscoring the Lady Apaches 11-7, Stryker finished the game up by 19 points.
It was the perimeter defense of the Lady Panthers that stifled the Fairview offense so severely. The Apache girls were not allowed a single make from the three-point line. In fact, Stryker only gave up 9 field goals overall. If the Apaches wouldn’t have been able to get to the free throw line, it’s hard to tell if they could have stayed within 20 points of the Panthers.
Free throws were the one glaring negative for Stryker in this game. Taking only 13 attempts in the contest demonstrates how the young Panther squad couldn’t find ways to get to the charity stripe. The fact that they only made 7 of those extra points puts them at a 53% success rate. Normally, that percentage combined with so few attempts would make it hard to beat nearly any opponent, but good defense and high percentage shots helped negate that disadvantage.
It seems the youthful Stryker squad is beginning to shape itself into a formidable team. They have a tough test ahead of them, however, as they take on Archbold next.