The Affton Cougars girls varsity basketball team fought hard in the first half against the St. Elizabeth Academy Hawks on Monday night. However, the Cougars simply were unable to keep pace with the Hawks in the second half in a 59-36 defeat.
Affton, which had won three of its previous four games, dropped to 8-14.
Affton and St. Elizabeth (11-8) each have struggled to compete with the other teams in their respective conferences this season, and the Cougars were disappointed to not take advantage at home in Monday’s nonconference matchup.
“They made shots and we didn’t. That continues to be a major problem for us,” said Affton coach Roy Monti. “We let them have too many points off fast breaks.”
Monti felt that this game would be particularly challenging given that the Cougars have had to cancel several practices during the rough recent winter weather. But, each team came out strong offensively in the first quarter.
The Cougars outscored the Hawks, 14-9, in the first period despite star junior point guard Hali Ford being double teamed from the beginning of the game.
Ford leads Affton with an average of 15 points per game.
The Hawks were able to hold the Cougars to four points in the second quarter, and led 20-18 at halftime. Although the Cougars couldn’t convert many of their shots after the first period, they continued to work hard on defense. Ford had three of her nine blocks in the first three minutes of the second quarter. She also led the team with six steals.
Taylor Shinabargar and Ford each scored 13 points in the game. Affton will next host Grandview on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.