Playing favorites
- Updated: January 21, 2016
Saks’ girls, now the highest seed remaining, cruise into semifinals behind Northard, Johnson
Saks’ Maiya Northard (L) ties up her opposite number from Alexandria, Sarah Kilgore, during Thursday’s game. On the cover, Saks coach Michelle Lively gives instruction in the huddle. (Photos by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)
“This team is hell bent on proving that they are the team to beat and want to prove that they are the best in the county.”
— Saks coach Michelle Lively
By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – The Saks Lady Wildcats are the team to beat in the 65th annual Calhoun County Tournament. Now, only one game stands between them and the championship.
It’s serious business, but that doesn’t mean this team isn’t having a good time while doing it.
The Lady Wildcats toyed with Alexandria in their quarterfinals matchup Thursday night as they cruised to a 54-21 victory. Coach Michelle Lively thanked the Saks faithful as she walked to the locker room after the game all smiles, but yet still determined to continue on the path towards the championship.
“We have had good teams before in this situation,” Lively said. “But this team is hell bent on proving that they are the team to beat and want to prove that they are the best in the county.”
They acted like the best team in the county Thursday.
The Lady Wildcats opened up the game with a 16-4 run that quickly put the Valley Cubs on their heels. Alexandria only scored nine points in the first half, while Maiya Northard and Daja Johnson combined for 15 of Saks’ 27.
“Tonight’s game was awesome,” Northard said. ”This year we got a great draw and got a chance to play Alexandria again and prove that we were the better team. We’ve been waiting on this kind of opportunity for a while and now we have our chance.”
The second half was more of the same. The Lady Wildcats outscored Alexandria 27-12.
Northard led all scorers with 16 points while Bre Browning had eight points and seven rebounds. Senior Taylor Teague finished with seven points. Eight different Wildcats scored in the game.
Saks played at the top of its game Thursday and like the rest of the season was completely dependent on how it prepared and focused for the game at hand.
“I walked in to give the pre-game speech, and usually I have to calm them down,” Lively said. “But tonight I walked in and they said, ‘Coach, you don’t have to talk tonight,’ and I said alright let’s go. They came out and played well, so they were ready.”
Putting on a press during most of the game smothered the outmatched Alexandria squad who could not find a rhythm all night.
Connieya Bradford led the Valley Cubs with 10 points and seven rebounds. The rest of the team only scored 11.
Saks will play Jacksonville Friday at 5 p.m., with the winner advancing to Saturday’s title game. The Lady Wildcats are excited about playing the Golden Eagles, but are still focusing on them and not anything down the line.
“I’m not taking them lightly at all,” Lively said. We will have to play with excellent fundamentals to beat them and we have to stay disciplined because they are disciplined themselves. We are up to the task and I think we are ready for them.”
Saks 54, Alexandria 21
ALEXANDRIA — Sarah Kilgore 1 0-0 2, Connieya Bradford 4 2-2 10, Gracie Muncher 0 0-0 0, Molly Parker 0 0-0 0, Brooke Ponder 0 0-0 0, Shelby Lowery 1 1-2 3, Destiny Heathcock 1 0-1 2, Allison Bonds 0 0-0 0, Catelyn Howell 1 2-4 4. Totals 8 5-9 21.
SAKS – Ayanna Bradberry 0 0-0 0, Talisa Christian 1 0-0 3, Tayler Teague 3 1-2 7, Jordan Briskey 0 2-2 2, Sabrea Bean 0 0-0 0, Maiya Northard 5 6-15 16, Miracle Dennard 0 0-1 0, Christie Gooden 1 0-0 2, Teetee Jenkins 3 0-0 6, Bre Browning 3 4-4 10, Daja Johnson 3 0-0 8. Totals 19 13-24 54
Alexandria 6 3 6 6 — 21
Saks 18 9 14 13 — 54
3-point goals: Saks 3 (Johnson 2, Christian). Total fouls: Alexandria 15, Saks 14. Officials: Cushenbery, Cochran, Powell.
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