After missing a significant chunk of last season with a concussion, Long Reach sophomore forward Jaya Green has been eager to make the most of her time on the court this winter.
In Friday night's 53-35 win over visiting Reservoir (2-8), Green posted a double-double — scoring 19 points and pulling in 10 rebounds — to lead the Lightning (4-6) to victory.
"It's good finally having a full season, not having to sit and watch," Green said. "It was kind of dissapointing seeing your team lose when you know you could have helped out."
On Friday night, Long Reach jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first quarter, then ran away with the game with a 21-2 run in the second quarter.
"They've been working hard the last couple of practices so they were excited to come in and get the win, especially getting everybody in," Long Reach coach Kelli Cofield said. "Everybody had fun tonight."
Lightning freshman Kiana Williams scored 10 points, including eight in the first half. Junior Ifeoma Ezimako and senior Jeily Mata combined for another 14.
"This is one of the youngest teams we've ever had," Cofield said. "We have a good nucleus of young girls, a lot of them being freshmen and sophomores. So I'm excited for the upcoming years. They're playing together, being smart and getting better."
After stumbling in the second quarter, Reservoir regained its footing after half time.
The Gators scored four points in the first 15 seconds of the third quarter, on layups by senior Alexis Bartley and sophomore Hayley Tiller (7 points), and scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore guard Kayla Wilson had the biggest second half turnaround, scoring five of her team-high 11 points in the final two minutes of the game. Junior Mary Dudzinski contributed five points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Cece Bartley added six points and six steals.
Re:
Wilson 11, Tiller 7, C. Bartley 6, Dudzinski 5, A. Bartley 4, Miller 2.
LR:
Green 19, K. Williams 10, Ezimako 8, Mata 6, Engelbrecht 2, Malone 2, Pruitt 2, Ratliffe 2, Collins 1, D. Williams 1.
Half:
LR 34-8