Parsippany—Despite a rusty first half, the Chatham Cougars came out on top of the Parsippany Red Hawks 56-40 Thursday in Parsippany.
Inclement weather coupled with school closings has prevented the Chatham girl’s basketball team from competing since its victory over West Essex Jan. 24.
It was clear from the look of the first half that the team was not in sync.
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“We haven’t played in 10 days,” said Head Coach Joe Gaba. “We were rusty.”
Despite the rust Chatham matched Parsippany well defensively in the first quarter, coming out with an aggressive full court press. After trading baskets throughout the first eight minutes Chatham lead 9-8 heading into the second quarter.
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Captain Kelsey Davies started the quarter by sinking a three pointer. After Parsippany’s Kelsey Principe answered with a quick layup, Chatham went on an uncontested six point run to bring the score to 18-10.
Parsippany had a late surge in the quarter, but Chatham was on top 24-20 heading into half time.
At half-time coach Joe Gaba had to get his team focused.
“He made us realize that we needed to just go out there and play,” said Chatham standout Amanda Berntsen. “His halftime speech really got us going.”
Chatham’s scoring drive was opened by Captain Kelsey Hart with a layup in traffic. Hart converted this play like clockwork, with each point momentum growing.
“She [Hart] gives all out effort in every game we play,” said Gaba. “She gives us a great inside presence.”
Hart scored eight of her ten points in the third quarter.
With Hart’s effort and the staunch Chatham defense, the Cougars outscored the Red Hawks 15-7 in the third quarter and looked like the team that the fans are accustomed to seeing.
But it was the fourth quarter that showcased the play that Chatham fans are use to. Amanda Berntsen scored 11 of her 22 points in the quarter to outscore Parsippany 17-13.
“Once we got rolling things really went our way,” said Coach Gaba. “It’s about getting into the groove and getting momentum.”
With the win Chatham improves to 14-1 on the season. They next face Morris Hills in the Morris County Tournament Saturday at 7 p.m.
