Legacy ladies hand the Hawks their first loss (2/20/09)

by MARTY CESARIO

Legacy 70
Horizon 66

Before the game, I asked Legacy coach, JAMIE CAREY, "Can you outrun Horizon?" She just gave me a look. Then I asked her if her squad could really go inside on the Lady Hawks. She quickly responded, "Why not?"

Look, I don't get to do many girls basketball games. And for a moment there, Carey made me feel like Jerry Maguire walking into the scene with no Ya-Ya for the Sisterhood. It wasn't until later I realized that was just a lady hooper, now a coach, who had plans... great plans... and was eager to get 'em executed.    

Despite the presence of Horizon's CU-bound twin six-footers, MEAGAN and BRENNA MALCOLM-PECK, the Legacy Lightning did go inside... early... often... and effectively. In their first possession and throughout the game, the Lightning fed tough girl, CARLI MORELAND, who would pass off to active cutters like KELLEN WITTKOP, kick out to sharp-shooters, or draw fouls in the post. (Moreland hit five of six free throws in the first quarter. 12 of 14 for the game.) As a perfect compliment to their inside success in the half-court sets, KAILEY EDWARDS, was awesome from the perimeter and on the break. Not much wasn't working for the Lightning as they scored first, earned several double-digit leads, and never trailed in the entire game. Yep. Never trailed. To undefeated Horizon -- who had already dropped Legacy earlier in the season.

Don't read me wrong here. This wasn't an upset blow-out. No. No. No. Far from it. Hawks coach, GREG HAHN, proved he always has an answer with Meagan Malcolm-Peck. She certainly showed me why she's an all-stater. A pair of three-pointers and some easy inside lay-ups for Meagan along with a seven point, 2nd quarter burst from top reserve, RACHEL BOLLINGER, pulled Horizon to within four by halftime. And with Brenna Malcolm-Peck becoming productive in the third quarter, the Lady Hawks fought their way back to ties on two different occasions. 

I reminded myself that Legacy held an eleven point advantage in these two squads' January meeting. Horizon eventually won that game by 15. Would history resemble itself? Nope. Coach Carey's club found a way to close this time.

In an extremely intense and physical fourth quarter, Legacy's EMMA BOESEL stepped up to help Moreland win the battle under the boards while the Lightning guards, Edwards and team leader, QUINCY NOONAN, found just enough success against Horizon's suffocating full-court press to get down the floor, get points, and eventually outlast their league rivals. (Noonan, our Skate City Player-of-the-Game, scored seven in the final frame... sinking five very clutch free throws.)

What a game?!?! And quite a win for Legacy... in so many ways. They beat the unbeaten, scored revenge against their rivals, earned a very nice confidence boost for the upcoming playoffs, and for an emotional Coach Carey... she beat her alma-mater on her first return to the floor she once ruled as a player in the late 90's. Very huge.     
         

Final: LL 70 - HH 66... LL (18-5, 9-2) Moreland 22, Edwards 20, Noonan 11 ... HH (22-1, 10-1) M. Malcolm-Peck 28, B. Malcolm-Peck 11, Medina 8