Story by Uma Chakraborty
Staff Writer
Photo by Mac Shropshire
Photography Editor
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the girls’ basketball team won against the La Cañada Spartans in a 47-44 victory. The Tigers displayed excellent defense, especially in the second half, preventing the Spartans from overtaking their lead.
Shortly before the game began, the starting lineup for both teams was introduced, with the Tigers getting to run through a tunnel made by PEP. Shortly after the game kicked off, the Spartans took possession of the ball, but the Tigers quickly obtained control as sophomore shooting guard Lucia Humphrey scored the first three-point hoop of the game.
PEP held the Tiger spirits high with words of encouragement and praise, but the Spartans refused to back down and briefly took the lead at 6-3. The teams fought neck-and-neck for the majority of the first quarter as the Tigers slowly worked their way up, keeping a shallow lead of 12-11, until the Spartans sank a free throw with just 30 seconds left in the quarter. Tied at 12-12, both teams now fired up.
Once the second quarter began, the Tigers rallied on. The Tigers’ offense was profoundly ahead of the Spartans and blew past their defense, allowing senior small forward Brylee Woo to score a 3-point shot, putting the Tigers in the lead at 17-14. The Spartans were quick to raise their score as their offense kicked up again, but the Tigers hung on, ending the second quarter at 26-24, Spartans leading.
After switching sides of the court, the Spartans began the third quarter. The Tigers demonstrated great defense, allowing them to take the lead and maintain it for most of the quarter, before the Spartans made a push up the court and evened the score at 32-32. After one more two-pointer and another three-point shot from the Tigers, the quarter ended at 37-32. After vying for the lead for two quarters, it appeared that expectations for who the victor would be began to shift towards the Tigers.
The Tigers’ defense in the fourth quarter was stronger than ever. They managed to keep the score close and barely stayed in the lead by one point before a Spartan player was injured, forcing a momentary time-out. Once the game resumed, tensions were high when the Spartans were awarded two free throws with six seconds on the clock, bringing their score just two points behind at 47-45. Seconds later, the Tigers were also given two free throws for a foul on the Spartans’ side. Senior forward Emma Jay Johnson made the second free throw, driving the nail into the coffin and sealing the Tigers’ victory at 47-44.
“The game was a great and intense game. They got the rebounds and free throws when needed. It was so entertaining to watch,” Heather Lee, a supporter in the stands, said.
The Tigers faced the Temple City Rams at a home game on Friday, Jan. 16, at 5:30pm.