Lady Cougars Begin State Playoffs
Piedmont Academy’s varsity girls basketball team will look for more postseason glory beginning Friday as the Lady Cougars enter the GIAA Class AAA state tournament.
Coach Michael Wilson’s team begins state play at 23-5 after finishing as region runner-up in a combined District 6 for AAA/AAAA. Piedmont fell to Stratford Academy 67-55 last Friday in the title game.
“I thought we played pretty well in the region tournament,” Wilson said. “We didn’t shoot very well against Stratford and weren’t able to get to the foul line like we had hoped. It was a two point game with four minutes left and a couple bounces went their way and that happens sometimes. You don’t go 22-2 like they were and not be a good team. We can take a lot from the loss. We aren’t happy about it but we will learn from it moving forward in the state tournament.”
The Lady Cougars are the number three seed for the state tournament.
“I think our region schedule will really help us in state,” Wilson said. “Our region was arguably the toughest in the state and you can’t substitute six weeks of big games. We are battle tested and I think we have a good draw moving forward.”
In the region championship against Stratford, Marissa Holder scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, five assists and a block while fellow senior Kylee Keck finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Freshman Sarah Ellen Stroud added 13 points, five assists and one rebound.
“I was also really pleased with the play of Taylor Jenkins in the middle for us,” Wilson said. “She pulled down 14 rebounds in two games and that’s what we need from her. If she continues doing that, it will be a huge plus for us and create one more problem for our opponents.”
In the title game, Jenkins had seven total rebounds with a steal and a block.
The state tournament is set to begin Friday for Piedmont in a game played at Tattnall Square Academy. The Lady Cougars will face the winner of the Westminster-Augusta and Dominion Christian matchup.
“We are excited about playing at Tattnall in the first round,” Wilson said. “We have historically done well in that gym and after two games at First Presbyterian it may be just what the doctor ordered. Over the last two years our worst four shooting performances have come in that gym. I don’t know what it is but it will be nice to not go back there for a year. Shooters are a particular bunch and while it may be mental, I am glad we drew a gym for the quarterfinals they feel comfortable shooting.”
Regardless of who the opponent is this Friday, it will be a challenge.
“They both pose different types of problems but we feel like we have more threats than either have,” Wilson said. “Westminster has a dynamic guard in India Williams. She averaged 30 points per game but the team only averaged 50. We feel like if we can keep her in check we have a good shot at advancing, but players like that can take a game over and break your heart. We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen if we see them. Dominion has a 6-6 post player and a good point guard. We will try and disrupt their halfcourt offense and not let their post hurt us. Ultimately, if we push the tempo against either of these teams and make teams play our style I feel we have the depth to wear them down.”
Both potential foes have records well above .500.
Another key for the Lady Cougars will be to continue their strong effort defensively.
“We have been playing much better defense lately and that’s got to continue,” Wilson said. “We just need to get back in the groove of our defense igniting our offense. We’ve seen teams the last couple of weeks that we’ve played multiple times and often that translates to a little more of a rock fight game than we like.”
Lakeview Academy is the No. 1 seed for AAA followed by Terrell Academy, Piedmont, Frederica Academy, Westfield, Westminster, John Milledge, Pinewood, Brookwood, Deerfield-Windsor, Dominion and St. Andrew’s.