Alex Cowling, incoming freshman just lead her team to a state title!
Full-court press assists Bruins' charge
By RYAN GARNER/Times-Herald sports writer
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 08:27:45 AM PDT
SACRAMENTO - Facing the pressure of a second-half deficit, St. Patrick-St. Vincent High's girls basketball team was able to turn the tide thanks to its intense full court pressure.
Using the press off and on during Friday's 67-65 victory over La Jolla Country Day in the CIF Division IV state title game, the Bruins ramped it up in the fourth quarter and forced several turnovers down the stretch, paving the way for an improbable comeback.
"They're a great team and their pressure is what makes them great," La Jolla coach Terri Bamford said. "In the fourth quarter they cranked up the intensity. They went from zone (defense) to man, their crowd got cranked up and we rushed the inbounds pass."
St. Pat's was able to convert turnovers into easy buckets, reeling off an 18-4 run to open the fourth quarter and turning the momentum squarely in the Bruins' favor. While the Torreys had found ways to beat the press earlier in the game, they were bottled up in the closing minutes and could respond to the swarming St. Pat's defenders.
"Our press is our bread and butter," said St. Pat's guard Jameiz Terrell. "We worked hard on it throughout the whole year and it was there for us when we needed it the most."
Going out on topSt. Pat's senior forward Alex Cowling closed out her varsity career with a victory on the Arco Arena hardcourt, finishing with a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds.
"Her career has been stellar, and she's a hard-working, motivated leader," Bruins coach Rod Faucett said. "It's who she is, and she was able to do it with foul trouble. She doesn't care how many points she has, she just wants to win the game."
Cowling suffered a bloody nose in the first minute of the game after taking an elbow from La Jolla center Janae Fulcher. She returned to the court with St. Pat's trailing 12-5 and 3:19 remaining in the opening frame. She also helped spur St. Pat's second-half rally, knocking down a number of shots and bodying the La Jolla forwards for important rebounds.
"The game was on the line, and I thought she stepped up and put the team on her back," Bamford said.
Bound for Loyola Marymount next season, Cowling helped the Bruins accomplish their ultimate goal in her final game suiting up for the green and gold.
"Our goal was to win state," Cowling said. "We did it."
