Wildcats too much for Blazers

DEC 12, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

Despite a valiant effort from the varsity girls' basketball team, Walter Johnson (WJ) proved too strong and the Blazers lost, 47-38.

A strong performance from senior guard Brittany Higgans paced the Blazers, scoring 17 points and providing a leadership presence in the abscence of senior center Emily Ramsay, who found herself in foul trouble early. Ramsay finished second in scoring for the Blazers, with 6 points. Junior Vicky Dean scored five, and the rest of Blair's scores were spread out.

"Brittany was good today," said Coach William Lindsey. "She stayed out of foul difficulty, which really gave her an opportunity to show her talents."

Lindsey noted after the game that WJ was the second team in a row that could hit its free throws--a marked advantage over the Blazers, who were 11-for-25 from the line against the Wildcats' 21-for-33. Lindsey attributed the loss to mistakes (especially repeatedly fouling WJ's best shooter towards the end of the game) and the absence of sophomore Cate Rassman, the team's leading scorer, who was out of town.

Frustration marked the veteran coach's face after the game. "What we do is go in spurts and things. It's like we can't people to click on all cylinders," he said.

That best shooter, Alex Porter, proved the difference in the game, scoring 13 of her 23 points in the second quarter to blow the game wide open and drive the halftime score to 24-14. She also hit her foul shots down the stretch, keeping the Blazers' furious rallies at arm's length.

Blair next plays Dec 16 at Watkins Mill at 7 p.m.