January 27, 2012

John Carroll Patriots Make It 12 in a Row...

It was a battle of Harford County powers as John Carroll hosted Fallston in a hard fought physical game that needed more than 32 minutes to decide the victor. In the end the Patriots opened up a close game winning 59-46 in overtime. John Carroll led most of the way and seemed in control winning all of the first three quarters and holding the Cougars to just 28 points, but in the fourth quarter the Cougars made their move as Rachael Holehouse and Allyssa March took over scoring all 18 points for Fallston who eventually took a 3 point lead with less than a minute left.  John Carroll's Emily Soller promptly tied the game with a clutch 3 pointer with 15 seconds left but the Pats committed a crucial foul with 1.9 second to go putting Fallston on the line with a chance to win the game. The Cougars missed the front end of a 1 and 1 and the game went into over time. In the extra session it was all Patriots as John Carroll held the Cougars scoreless while going on an offensive explosion netting 13 points for the win. "It seemed like there was a lid on the basket in the second half", said Patriot Head Coach Mike Blizzard. "We got good looks but the shots just did not fall. But in overtime everything went down. It was a nice win for us. I liked how our team got back up off the mat after losing the lead and responded by scoring the last 16 points of the game. We responded on both the offensive and defensive ends and finished the game." 

Miranda Ripken, who was honored before the game for scoring her 1000th point the night before led the Patriots with 15 more while sophomore Yemaya Johnson also hit for 15 herself. MacKenzie Reese, the Patriots defensive stopper also added 12 for the winners. Allyssa March led all scorers with 17 and Rachael Holehouse added 15 for the Cougars. John Carroll has now won 12 straight games and is 14-3 overall and 8-0 in IAAM Conference play. The Patriots return to conference play Saturday afternoon as they take on Maryvale (5-4) at 4:30 on their home floor.

Recap provided by Head Coach, Mike Blizzard - 1.27.12