Lady Cougars Sick, But Get The 'W'

Under the weather, but not undermanned.

Down two starters due to illness, Kennedy's Lady Cougars received contributions up and down the roster on Friday, topping winless Plainview JFK, 48-35 in league play, to improve to 6-2 in Conference AA-II. Plainview falls to 0-8.

With Taylor Kruter and Steph Roney seeing minimal action, 11 different Kennedy players scored, led by Allie Keller's eight points and five rebounds. The Lady Cougars never trailed on the day.

"Our subs, people who usually aren't used to playing stepped up and played well," coach Debra Cipolla-Minafo said.

Shorthanded from the outset, Kennedy needed to press forward, and did so, by pressing the Hawks. The Lady Cougars kept the heat on early, notching several steals in the opening minutes. Plainview turnovers led to easy baskets underneath, and Kennedy jumped out to a 7-0 lead, en route to a 19-point first period.

Plainview could not get going offensively for the most part. The Kennedy zone defense forced the Hawks into wildly bad shots throughout the first half. 

"[Plainview] couldn't get inside...having a bit of trouble, they were trying to hit the baseline, they weren't hitting from the outside, so I think [the zone] worked well," Cipolla-Minafo said.

Unfortunately for the Lady Cougars, the Plainview offensive troubles, too, were contagious. Kennedy only hit two field goals the entire second quarter, and Plainview was able to fight through the press to stay within striking range.  Kennedy led 26-16 at the half.

The methodical play on both sides continued in the third. An early Kennedy turnover led to a Mandy Palmer layup, pulling Plainview to within eight. It would be as close as they'd get, as Kennedy players getting more action then they're used to made the most of their time on the floor.

Back to back baskets by Keller put the Cougars up by 12. Julie Bombara's layup off a missed free throw increased the lead. Finally, Kerri Baum (seven points) hit a three as time expired in the third to make it 42-23, effectively ending the game a quarter early.

"It was [sloppy], we pulled it back together, we got everybody in on the team, tried to get everybody to score...I think we worked well," said Kennedy's Morgan Kitton (six points).

While a perfect game may not be necessary against a winless opponent, coach Cipolla-Minafo wasn't pleased with her team's offensive woes. She knows single-digit quarters won't cut it as the season wears on.

"We're working as a team to increase our shooting percentage," she said.  "We get a lot of shots but they haven't been falling...we're looking to work on our shooting, and our man defense."

For now, the best defense may be a healthy dose of Vitamin C.

Kennedy hosts first place Great Neck South on Saturday as league play continues.