With the Cypress Springs boys basketball team holding second-place in District 17-5A, things for the Panthers seemed to be on the up and up. But after dropping a couple of games late in the season, coach John Harmatuk would like his team to stick to the basic things that have made them successful to this point.

“I’m been trying to tell my guys this, we’ve had a good season so far and we've had some injuries,” Harmatuk said to the guys during halftime of Friday night's game against Cy-Fair at the Berry Center. “We’ve had a couple of tough close games. I told the guys calm, play the game and have fun. We have won a bunch of close games this year and this one is no different.”

 And that was obviously all it took as the Panthers roared back to a 69-64 victory. Cy Springs trailed, though not by many, throughout the entire game.

Cy-Fair came out strong on the glass and with perimeter shooting. The Bobcats’ David Harris was hot from behind the arc while Corbin Glass was busy on the boards. But the Panthers seemed to be always within striking distance.

With big man Erik Williams out for Cy Springs, plenty of things change in the Panthers’ game plan. For one, Phillip McDonald has to play down low as a opposed to being on the wing.

“It (Williams’ injury) changes everything on both ends because now they (opponents) can put at least 1.5 guys on Phillip (McDonald),” Harmatuk said. “Erik takes off the pressure having he and Phillip on opposite wings. This allows spacing for the guards to be able to maneuver.”

Though the task may be more difficult than before, the Panthers guards made things happen. With Jon Smith and Daquan Williams in the backcourt, ball control was in their favor.

Even on defense, these two guys set the tone.

“We’ve lost our size and we half to pick up full-court defense,” Harmatuk said. “The closer the ball gets to the rim, the harder it is for us to guard it. So we have to get pressure and steals we have to try to make the game fast.”

And this, along with key buckets and free throws, is what brought the victory to the Panthers. Leading the way was Smith with 19 points. Williams and McDonald each had 13 points in the win.

For Cy Fair, Harris dropped 13 points. Emery Joshua had had 12 and Erich Bao contributed 11 points.

Game 2 of a double-header at the Berry Center
Girls Basketball: Cy-Fair 59, Cypress Springs 41

Now standing undefeated in District 17-5A play, Cy Fair (32-2, 13-0) dominated Cy Springs (24-7, 8-5).

From start to finish, the Bobcats completely had control of the game. This of course is mainly because of their strength of defense.

“I think our intensity on defense and our want to transition our defense to our offense has been one of our major keys to success,” Cy-Fair coach Ann Roubique said. “We use our defense as part of our offensive plan. Try and get the ball and quickly move it up the floor.”

With playoffs peeking right around the corner, the focus of the Bobcat team is to make sure to continue playing hard. The only time Cy-Fair allowed Cy Springs to get a little momentum was ion the third quarter.

The Bobcats only outscored the Panthers 11-10 for that quarter. But no worry for Roubique as her team continues to play good ball.

“Up to this point it’s been pretty good,” Roubique said of the Bobcats’ play. “We’re practicing and preparing for the postseason because it is pretty much upon us right now. But again we practice that way so we hope that carries over into the game.”

Leading the way for the Bobcats was Nneka Ogwumike with 14 points. Nicole Morris dropped in another 13 points (nine of which came from 3-point baskets).

For the Panthers, Nicoya Jackson scored 12 points while Briana Tolbert and Marsharae Brown each had six. 

Subscribe to this comment's feed