The Lady Chiefs basketball team took the court as clear underdogs to compete against the Boca Raton Bobcats in the district finals.
Despite a tough shortcoming against an all too familiar Coach Nguyen and the Bobcats squad, Chiefs head coach, Zoe Price would argue that the season has proven to be a success.
“We set a lot of goals at the beginning of the year,” recalled Coach Price. “And this was one of them: to make the district finals.”
The Lady Chiefs basketball team deserved to be in the position that they were in as they earned a .692 win percentage, going 18-8 with an 8-3 home record.
They were led by senior, Marie Vertus who averaged 9.2 rebounds per game, and 1.8 steals/game making her a defensive powerhouse compared to the rest of the nation, which averaged a minuscule 2.79 rebounds per game. She was prepared to take on the Bobcats Friday night, and she demonstrated her confidence going into the game.
“We know which of [Nguyen’s] players will do what, when, and where and we’re ready for it.” stated Vertus.
Six-time Player of the Game award winner, junior, Emiah Downie declared that the Lady Chiefs’ style of play will be powerful, yet conservative. Emiah plays for coach Nguyen of the Bobcats over the summer.
“We’re going to come out aggressive, and definitely defensive,” said Downie. “I know that will secretly get him frustrated.”
Another summer-time player for the Bobcats’ head coach is senior, Whitney Howell-Wright who is arguably one of most well-rounded players on the Chiefs’ squad.
Howell-Wright towers above the national average in all major categories including blocks, steals, rebounds and assists.
“We know his strengths, weaknesses, and how he behaves under pressure,” claimed Whitney, “that’s going to be an advantage to us.”
Even with inside playing styles of the Boca Raton basketball team, the Santaluces Lady Chiefs endured a tough loss.
Coach Price and her girls took to the court with heads held high and came out victorious against the Palm Beach Gardens Gators, 57-53.
The girls face Wellington Tuesday in the Regional Semi-Finals.
