Blazers remain hot against Vikings

FEB. 20, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

After starting the season 4-12, the girls' basketball team has been determined to save face for the season. The Blazers have won four out of their last five games, including last nights' 43-33 victory over the 5-16 Whitman Vikings.

The Blazers did an excellent job of running their plays successfully and keeping a solid tempo. They played tough defense and kept Whitman from consistently scoring. However shooting remains a problem for the Blazers, as they shot a meager 26.8 percent from the field.

The Blazers claimed an early lead and were able to hang onto it for the entire game by not letting go of their intensity. Neither team dominated any portion of the game. The Blazers were up by four of five points for much of the first half, but solid Viking defense kept them from pulling away, as the teams began to trade baskets.

After a 17-13 halftime lead, the Blazers made the first three buckets of the second half which seemed to put the game away. However late in the game, the Blazers began to rush their shots and lose control, and the Vikings took the Blazer lead down to four, at 37-33. Blair was able to regain composure and scored the last six points of the game.

Blair was once again led by sophomore Cate Rassman, who leads the Blazers in points, rebounds, steals and three-pointers. She tallied a game-high 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and five assists. Junior Brittany Higgins added 11 points, six rebounds and five steals. Senior Emily Ramsay went 4-7 from the field for nine points, while no other Blazer had more than two.

According to Ramsay, the Blazers were eager to play Whitman, which is becoming a bitter rival. "We were really psyched to win. We all really hate Whitman," she said.

The Blazers will have their season finale as their next game at Wheaton on Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m.