TOWAMENCIN- Prior to the start of the season, Maggie Demartelerie stated that CB East was the team to beat in the conference. Last night, however, the North Penn girls’ basketball team proved that perhaps they are, in fact, the team to beat.
The Maidens (6-2) dominated East (6-1) on both sides of the court, cruising to a 37 to 21 victory.
“It feels great,” said senior Steph Knauer. “We do not normally [beat the first place team]. We try our hardest every time and this time it worked. I am very proud of the team.”
The Maidens opened the game on a 7-0 run and held East scoreless for the entire first quarter. The team took all of that momentum into the second quarter where they held their opponents to only two points–two free throws—taking a 19-2 lead into the half.
“We played unbelievable defense [in the first half],” said Demartelerie. “We had a few turnovers but I would say the first five minutes of the game were almost perfect for us. It was good defense and unselfish play from the offense.”
CB East would finally start to show why they are the first place team after the half, when they went on a run in the third quarter, where they were as close as 8 points behind North Penn. North Penn held a lead as high as twenty.
But when the fourth quarter started the Maidens took back control of the game. They outscored East 13-7 in the fourth to ensure the victory.
Senior Brenda McDermott attributes several factors that went into the hard fought victory.
“We did not turn the ball over a lot, which is good. We pushed the ball up the court. We were rebounding well. We were shooting really well and worked the ball inside.”
The Maidens believe that this win will motivate them going forward into the season and even into the playoffs.
“It is definitely motivation, for any team that comes at us; during the playoffs, regular season; It’s good,” said Knauer.
“We have a big week coming up,” said McDermott. “We have Council Rock North and CB West, who are both really good teams and to beat this team is really good going into next week.”
The Maidens next game will be home against Council Rock North, Saturday evening.
Jewel Rama • Jan 31, 2012 at 10:43 pm
I look back at this article and just think how great the girls have been playing reccently. I have been able to attend 4 of the last 5 games and it seems like they are just getting better and better. Doesnt matter if its a game where they hit most of their points outside the perimiter or they drive it in. They have girls who can do it. They are very lucky to have the squad that they have right now.
Jewel Rama • Jan 23, 2012 at 10:29 pm
It was such a great game, loved being out there watching the girls battle through a tough and very important game. Said there’s quite a lot to look forward to this coming season.