GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams remains unbeaten with Orena win over Rochester
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — As a player at Rochester Adams two decades ago, Shay Lewis never had the chance to play her crosstown rivals in front of a large capacity such as Oakland University’s Athletics Center Orena.
Now as the Highlanders first-year coach, she witnessed her team put on quite a display in front of over 2,000 fans Friday against Rochester as part of the annual Crosstown Showdown.
Adams overcame a first quarter deficit to down Rochester, 64-38, in an OAA crossover affair, keeping its perfect record in tact in the process.
The Highlanders are 9-0 and off to their best start since 2007-08. Adams blew the game open with a 19-2 second quarter run, including a 16-0 spurt, which turned a two-point deficit into a 35-20 halftime advantage.
Rochester never seriously threatened in the second half.
“We just had to play our game,” offered Lewis, who was part of the Highlanders’ dominant teams of the 1990s. “For our seniors, on this stage to be the last time that they play Rochester, it was a big deal, and I think we came out tight. I just asked them if they got it out them, and they said they did. We played better after (the first quarter).
“This was a great atmosphere,” continued Lewis. “To be able to come here and play Rochester in this type of atmosphere is something they will always remember.”
Rochester, which had very little varsity experience entering the season, actually led 18-16 after the first period. But the Falcons cooled down after that point and scored just 20 points the remainder of the contest.
Adams put the game away with a 20-6 spurt in the third quarter, good for a 55-26 lead entering the final frame.
“Offensively, it was a great quarter. We just have to turn it into two quarters, three quarters and four quarters,” noted Rochester coach Andy Sheldon. “It was a good experience, and we’ll continue to battle every day. This was much better since the last time we played them.”
Rochester, which is 1-9 and counts two freshmen amongst its top players, is starting to turn the corner and become a more competitive team. The gained some baptism under fire against a Class A top-20 program in Adams.
“We are getting better,” said Sheldon. “We are starting to see some growth. You can learn a lot by playing (an experienced) team like Adams.”
The Highlanders, who won the OAA White Division last season, are now up in the OAA-Red and are considered title contenders.
“We do have some experience,” said Lewis. “That made it easier (at the beginning) of the season. We saw it in a game like this one. We never got rattled. We settled down and played our game.”
Adams landed four players in double figures as part of its trademark balanced offensive diet.
Amber Jamison, a 6-foot-1 senior headed for Marquette, scored 14 points with nine rebounds to lead Adams. Senior forward Raiven Owusu and senior guard Dazia Dinkins added 13 points apiece, while sophomore forward Maggie Rogers chipped in with 10 points for the Highlanders.
Freshman Paola Barraza twined a trio of three-pointers and finished with 10 points for Rochester. Senior guard Shakira Hodges added six points and senior guard Natalie Sheublpich twined five points for the Falcons.
Category: Basketball, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Sport
