Coldwater girls defense shuts down Vicksburg in big non-conference tilt
VICKSBURG – The Coldwater Cardinal varsity girls basketball team stepped on to the court with one loss Vicksburg Tuesday night in a huge non-conference test for both teams.
After four quarters of intense basketball, it was Coldwater using a quick start and shut down defense late to hand the Bulldogs their second loss of the season and just their third loss over the last two years by the score of 47-31.
“It was great to see the girls exhibiting enthusiasm and effort,” Coldwater coach Ken Smoker said. “It has been a struggle to get them to play hard against teams that they realize are not as talented as us. This is the first in a string of four tough opponents, so I am hoping it carries over into Friday’s rematch with Marshall.”
Coldwater raced out to an early lead thanks to a triple from Eli Foley and a baseline jumper from Elli Anderson, only to see Vicksburg go on a quick 6-0 run to take a 6-5 lead.
The Cardinals controlled the rest of the quarter as the team heated up from the perimeter against Vicksburg's vaunted 2-3 zone. Foley’s trio of triples in the first quarter helped pace Coldwater to a 16-9 lead after one quarter of play.
The teams played to near stalemates throughout the second and third quarters, with Vicksburg winning the second 11-10 and Coldwater taking the third 10-8, leading to an exciting fourth quarter with the game still very much in doubt.
Coldwater buckled down on defense and held Vicksburg to just three points, while the Cardinals were limited to a single field goal, while the rest of the 11-3 advantage came from the free throw line where Coldwater iced the game with a 9 for 10 effort.
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“We knew they were going to press us and play an extended 2-3 zone and we were able to overcome 10 first half turnovers to go into the locker room with the lead,” Smoker said. “The one thing we talked about was seeing the entire floor as opposed to just turning and passing to a teammate as they did a really good job of anticipating where the next pass was going.”
Coldwater was led on the night by junior Elli Foley who had perhaps her best game of the season with 16 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Coley Burkhardt also hit double digits, pouring in 10 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists and a steal while Mya Porter added nine points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal.
Coldwater improves to 13-2 overall on the season with the win as the Cardinals prepare for a huge Interstate 8 rematch with Marshall on Friday, which will also be Coldwater High School’s Hall of Fame night.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater girls defense shuts down Vicksburg in big non-conference tilt
