http://cranford.patch.com/articles/lady-cougars-win-fourth-straight-on-court
Lady Cougars Win Fourth Straight on Court
Cranford defeated Hillside 49-39 on Monday.
By Mike Curci
With a balanced scoring attack and aggressive defense, the Cranford Cougars girls' basketball team rolled to their fourth win in five games, defeating visiting Hillside by a final of 49-39 at Martin Gymnasium on Monday.
Senior Danielle Gross had a game-high 16 points while Megan Miller, who ran off the first seven points of the game en route to the victory, chipped in with 12 to lead the home side.
"I thought we started out really strong," said head coach Jackie Huber. "We came out and our defense was unstoppable. In the end, our defense and our hustle wins games for us, and that was the case today."
While Cranford controlled much of the contest, Hillside just wouldn't go away, scoring 10 straight points to cut the lead to four late in the fourth quarter before the Cougars finally settled down.
"I called time out and I pulled them together and said, 'girls listen, we were in control the entire game, stay in control, we know what we need to do, the little things, go for all loose balls, run out on their shooters, play aggressive defense', and that's exactly what we did," said Huber.
"We didn't play our best game, but we wanted it," said senior Jamie Webb who tallied seven points. "We played aggressive, good defense and tried to get steals. They never got ahead of us, so that kept us composed, so we knew we were going to get it back and keep our lead."
Cranford led 26-13 at the half 37-24 after the third quarter. Freshman Jessica McCoy had six points in the win.
This was the Cougars' first game since winning the Livingston Lancer Winter Tournament just before Christmas, defeating West Orange 43-42 in the final. Jamie Webb and Jessica McCoy had 17 points apiece in a pair of star performances, and Huber feels that the tournament win could be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
"That meant a lot. We talked to them before the game, that Cranford girls' basketball, in five years that I've been here, have not won a junior varsity or varsity Christmas tournament," said Huber. "So the girls really wanted to go out there and win their first tournament with me as the coach. The junior varsity won earlier that day, so it was nice for both teams to accomplish that goal."
"We really wanted to win, because our coach never got first place in any of the Christmas tournaments," said Webb. "So I really wanted to win for her."
A big part of their success so far is the team chemistry.
"We have a lot of talent and we play well together as a team. We like each other off the floor and on," said Webb.
The Lady Cougars are gearing up for the Union County Tournament. Huber believes they have what it takes to make a run at a championship.
"I think we just need to keep working hard. Our defense is winning games for us. The county is wide open, the tournament can be won by anyone. I see us having a good shot at it if we continue to do the right things and play Cranford basketball."
Cranford will next play Thursday at home at 7 p.m. against Union Catholic.
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