The Alternative Press

CHATHAM, NJ – Kendall Davies led the way for the Chatham Lady Cougars with 11 points and Lauren Winschuh added 10 as they allowed only one field goal from the Madison Lady Dodgers in the first half en route to a 34-16 win on Thursday night at Chatham High School.

 

This is the first game in Chatham’s 19-1 season that leading scorer Amanda Berntsen did not play in. Head Coach Joe Gaba mentioned that he sat the Princeton bound star as a precautionary measure because she slightly rolled her ankle in a win against Mendham on Tuesday night.

 

“She could have played tonight. She’s pretty much at one hundred percent,” Gaba commented. “We knew that we’d be able to perform well without her."

 

Berntsen not getting the go against Chatham’s cross town rivals will certainly benefit the number one seeded team in the Morris County Tournament as they continue into the quarterfinal around when they face Pequannock High School this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Morris Knolls High School.

 

Chatham has faced Pequannock twice thus far in regular season play and won both games by just two points. However, Gaba and his team know that it is difficult to defeat a squad three times in one season; particularly one as tough as Pequannock.

 

“It’s hard to beat a team any time of the year. I’m sure they're hungry to beat us. They played us really close this year,” Gaba said of Pequannock.  “We have to make sure that we have complete focus in that game and make sure that we come out… and hopefully we’ll get a W.”

 

“At this point, we both have pretty experienced teams. We’re just going to come out, play our normal game, try to get into transition, try to play a lot of pressure defense,” he added.

 

Leading 6-3 in a first quarter that saw little offense from both teams, Chatham exploded with 13 points in the second to take control of the contest.

 

Davies had two three pointers in the second and guard Sam Kennedy also hit from long distance with about two minutes to go until halftime.  Davies scored the last basket of the first half on a layup in transition after a Madison turnover as they led 19-4 after two quarters of play.

 

And just like almost every other game this season, the Chatham defense stepped up huge against Madison. They allowed only one field goal when Corey Debiasse connected in the first quarter. In fact, Debiasse had the only four points in the first half for Madison as she also made two free throws.

 

“Our man to man defense is usually pretty setting for us. I knew that we’d come out and play well on defense,” Gaba said.

 

Debiasse converted on a three point field goal as they first points of the third quarter to draw Madison to within 12, but then Chatham went on an 8-2 run to close out the quarter. Winschuh made two layups during that stretch and Caroline McCann and Jean Debiasse each hit a jumper.

 

Gabby Conmy scored the last basket of the third when she hit a short jumper for Madison, however they still trailed 27-9 heading into the final quarter of play.

 

Grace Conroy and Winschuh scored for Chatham in the fourth quarter before Davies made her third three ball of the game.

 

Conmy and Winnie Caetta had field goals for Madison in the fourth.