It looked a little shaky early, as the Raiders jumped out to a 6-2 lead after one quarter.  The only offense SMS could muster in the first frame was a nice inside basket from Kaitlin Carpenter.  Things would change in the second quarter, as Hallie Liskow was getting ready to take over the game.

 

    Hallie got things started in the second by hitting her patented 12-foot runner and it was 6-4.  Jessica Fogarty answered a Raider bucket, hitting her own 12-footer and it was again a two point deficit, 8-6.  Hallie then ripped off 6 straight points, with a variety of shots.  A 14-footer from the corner.  A runner in the lane.  And then a lay up after taking a perfectly placed pass from Jessica.  The guard play had been the difference in the second quarter, and SMS ran to a 12-10 lead at halftime.  But this game was far from over.

 

    The third quarter saw more spectacular guard play, but also some low post scoring that showed off the balanced scoring this team has.  Jessica continued her strong game, banking home a shot from the top of the key.  But Holy Family reeled off the next 6 points, and SMS again trailed, this time by the score of 16-14.  It would be the last deficit of the game.  Before the third quarter had ended, Hallie made a steal and took it from the Atlantic to the Pacific (that would be coast to coast) for two.  Hallie made yet another steal and ran the break to perfection, bouncing a last-second pass to Elizabeth Cortez who took the pass and banked home a lay up just like you would draw it up, and the Cats were up 18-16.  SMS took the lead for good just before the end of the quarter, as Hallie, who had more steals than a kleptomaniac, got one more, and drove in for a lay up and a 20-18 lead.

 

    In the fourth quarter, SMS put the game away.  Madeleine Ackels continued her impressive all-around game, grabbing rebounds, making steals, and making the right pass inside.  Ellie Logan was her usual active self, diving on the floor for loose balls, battling hard inside for tough rebounds, and playing with more energy than Exxon.  Katherine Brandt did the same, getting good position inside to pull down several rebounds and playing standout defense on the tall Raider center.  And the scoring was taken care of by a combination of inside scoring and outside driving.  Emma Fogarty got it started with a dribble drive and lay up for a 22-18 lead.  Caitlin Bubel drove home two more, taking a nice inside pass from Jessica.  Kaitlin Carpenter took an inbounds pass and kept driving the length of the floor, meeting no resistance as she scored on a lay up for a 26-20 lead.  Emma got a tough offensive rebound and put it back for two.  And the scoring ended with the guard duo striking one more time, this time with Jessica scoring on a lay up after taking a perfect pass from Hallie.

 

    When it was all said and done, SMS had earned a tough 30-22 victory over a quality opponent.  Hallie was spectacular, with 12 points, about a dozen steals, and a couple of passes to set up easy scores.  Jessica was equally brilliant, scoring 6 and dishing out three assists.  Kaitlin, with 4 points, and Madeleine rounded out the outstanding guard play, easily handling the ball against the Raider defense.  In the low post, Emma, Caitlin and Elizabeth contributed a rock-solid 8 points and Ellie and Katherine racked up numerous rebounds on the defensive end to prevent any offensive put backs for the Raiders.  The girls are really starting to come around offensively, having scored over 30 points in consecutive games for the first time.  It looks like this team is working towards peaking right as the playoffs begin, and with another solid two weeks of work, they should be primed for a deep playoff run.