Stratford's Slow Start and Defensive Struggles Lead to Loss Against Brookfield
2/1/24
Staff Writer
In a recent matchup between the Stratford Red Devils and Brookfield High School, the former faced a tough loss with a final score of 56-68. Despite some commendable performances, a persistent issue for the Red Devils is their struggle to start games on a strong note and their difficulties in closing out close contests. Coach Gilmore's team, led by offensive standout Sarah D Aloia, finds itself in a challenging position, unable to secure victories due to these recurring problems.
The offensive standout of the game was undoubtedly Sarah D’Aloia, who contributed significantly to the team's scoring efforts. D’Aloia managed an impressive 18 points on the night, sinking six crucial three-pointers. Lily Labella added 12 points to the scoreboard, and Jazmyn Wright also played a key role with 10 points.
On the defensive end, Jazmyn Wright's performance stood out, particularly in her role of guarding Brookfield's leading scorer, Catherine Sollese. Wright held Sollese to just one three-pointer and made her work hard for the remaining 13 points. This defensive effort played a crucial role in containing Brookfield's offensive threats.
Stratford implemented a 3/4 court press defensively, keeping the game within striking distance by forcing turnovers in the backcourt. While this strategy proved effective, the team struggled at times with transition defense and offensive put-backs due to slow rotations.
The turning point of the game occurred after the Red Devils overcame a slow start trailing 24-8 at the end of the first quarter, battling back to outscore Brookfield in the next three quarters. Despite getting within eight points in the final quarter with two big threes, the team couldn't secure the necessary defensive stops to complete the comeback.
In critical moments of the game, players like Sarah D’Aloia, Lily Labella, and Jazmyn Wright stepped up both offensively and defensively. Their efforts helped keep the game competitive, but ultimately, the Red Devils fell short in the closing minutes, unable to come back from the early hole they created for themselves. .
Box Score:
- Stratford: Shyan Rolle 1 0-0 3, Sarah D Aloia 6 0-0 18, Lily LaBella 4 2-2 12, Jazmyn Wright 5 0-0 10, Lauren Ogrodowicz 3 3-6 9, Grace Petrie 2 0-0 4; Total: 21 5-8 56
- Brookfield: Catherine Sollese 7 1-2 16, Val Errichielo 2 0-0 4, Rylee McGee 8 2-2 19, Leah Shaw 8 4-6 20, Grace Ottovano 1 0-0 2, Emily Yurosin 3 0-0 7; Total: 29 7-10 68
Stratford's loss to Brookfield highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Coach Gilmore's team. While offensive standouts like Sarah D’Aloia and defensive efforts from Jazmyn Wright showcased the team's potential, addressing slow starts and defensive lapses remains crucial for the Red Devils to compete for an SWC title.
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