Yellow Jackets run past banged-up Springfield

Springfield had no answer for Windsor's get-the-rebound-and-go offense as the Yellow Jackets rolled to a 70-50 win over the Cosmos Friday night in girls Marble Valley League contest.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120128/SPORTS/701289872

Published January 28, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Yellow Jackets run past banged-up Springfield

By POODY WALSH
Herald Correspondent

WINDSOR — Springfield had no answer for Windsor’s get-the-rebound-and-go offense as the Yellow Jackets rolled to a 70-50 win over the Cosmos Friday night in girls Marble Valley League contest.

“It all started with the rebound,” explained Windsor coach Bruce Mackay. “Then the outlet pass and run the floor.”

And run the floor they did as Abby Wright and Kim White, Windsor’s cat-like guards, constantly beat the Springfield defense down the court.

“People don’t realize how quick those two are,” said Mackay.

Springfield lost for the fourth straight time after six opening season wins and coach Joe Brown was not whining when he said, “We have some key injuries.”

The Cosmos were once again without standout in-the-paint player Morgan Johnson as well as scrappy point guard Jill Rushton.

“We just had different people playing different roles,” said Brown. “That’s not good.”

Brown also knew that the injuries were not the only reason the Cosmos gave up 70 points.

“We had some mental errors,” he explained. “There’s no reason not to get back on defense. That shouldn’t have happened and to lose by 20 points is unacceptable.”

Springfield wasn’t always behind by 20 points. The Cosmos struggled early, falling behind 16-2, but showed a lot of spunk of not giving in and by the half had climbed back into the game at 30-22. They stayed within range all through the third quarter, twice getting the lead back to six before trailing 49-38 after three quarters, but never could put that long run together to catch the Jacks. Liza Fontaine had a big third quarter for the Cosmos with two threes and nine points.

However, the Cosmos were short on depth with the injuries and the Jacks got some fast-break points in the final eight minutes and pulled away.

Windsor is 8-3 and started the day in fifth place in Division III. They have won four straight and host Burr and Burton on Monday and Twin Valley on Tuesday.

“Allison (Wilcox) was a beast off the boards,” said Mackay. “Grace Peters had some big boards and Nikki Kibling is showing a lot of confidence. Those three did some board work and got things going, but even I’m amazed at how fast Kim (White) and Abby (Wright) are.”

Windsor put four players in double figures as Wilcox had 16, White 15, Wright 12 and Kibling 10.

Liza Fontaine was the top Springfield scorer with 10. Emma Estey caught the attention of Brown for her play off the bench. She had a seven-point game.