Pendulum swings Adams’ way in victory over Rochester

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — The pendulum has swung Rochester Adams’ way.

The Highlanders only trailed in the first two minutes of the contest and slowly pulled away for a 50-36 OAA crossover victory over arch-rival Rochester in the annual Crosstown Showdown girls basketball contest at Oakland University’s Athletics Center O’rena.

The Highlanders (8-6) hit a trio of three pointers and made four of their first five shots from the floor in building a 17-7 advantage through eight minutes of play. That was all the cushion Adams would need.

Adams has now won the showdown twice, with the other victory coming in 2009. Rochester won the first in 2008 and again in 2010 to make the series at OU 2-2.

“I think we got off to a better start than we normally do,” said Tom Daniels, Adams’ assistant coach who was filling in for head coach Fran Scislowicz. “We made some shots early and we never really allowed them to get (the game under five points).

“(The players) are a very cohesive group,” continued Daniels. “They pull for each other and they all play every game — some more than others, of course — but when they get in there everybody pulls for them and there’s no egos on the team at all. This team plays well together.”

Adams led as many as nine points in the second quarter (18-9) before Rochester whittled it back down to six points (23-17) at the half.

Rochester would get no closer.

The Falcons scored 16 of their 36 points from the foul line and shot under 25 percent from the floor. Rochester did not connect on a single three-pointer in the contest.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well and to Adams’ credit they shot the ball well, especially early on (in the game),” said Rochester coach Adam Shelton. “They did a pretty good job defensively on our big (Katie Steffens). We are not a good (perimeter shooting) team and when teams take away our (post game), we have a hard time”

Steffens, Rochester’s 6-1 senior center, was held to eight points and just one field goal. Zhana Randolph also added eight points and Kristin Garr scored six for the Falcons.

“The girls keep working hard. We know that we are not a good shooting team,” added Shelton.” And teams do a good job at denying the ball in the post, we have a lot of outside shots and we don’t get a lot of rebounds, Steffens doesn’t get a chance to touch the ball.”

Jessica Lang scored 12 points to lead Adams. Emily Bryce and Taylor Houghtlin added 10 points each for the Highlanders.

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Tags: Crosstown Showdown, girls basketball, prep girls basketball

Category: Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams