Natalie Walker of Jonathan Alder goes up for a shot against a Cristo Rey defender. The Lady Pioneers won their Division II tournament opener by a 57-8 count.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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The pioneers of frontier days had to contend with wild creatures such as bears, mountain lions and other beasts.
There was one group of pioneers, however, who didn’t need to fear any type of predator.
The Lady Pioneers of Jonathan Alder made short work of the Cristo Rey Cougars during the opening round of the Division II basketball tournament.
Alder cruised to a 57-8 triumph during the post-season game played on its home floor.
It was evident the Cougars were outmatched from the opening tip to the end of the contest.
Numerous Cristo Rey possessions ended in turnovers or steals that turned into JA transition baskets.
Jonathan Alder tallied the first 22 points as action moved from the first to second quarter.
The duo of Mary Ferrito and Evan Platfoot was especially impactful and made life miserable for Cougar ballhandlers.
Both repeatedly swiped the ball and either took it into the hoop themselves or fed the other for easy baskets.
The fourth-seeded Lady Pioneers took an 18-0 margin into the second period.
Jumpers from Ellie Heisler and Sharon Keefer pushed JA out to a 22-0 margin during the first minute of the ensuing stanza.
The 19th-seeded Cougars finally got on the scoreboard on a basket by Tiara Haggins.
Those points, however, were the only ones Cristo Rey scored until the final quarter.
Jonathan Alder coach Allen Eggleston made liberal use of his bench throughout the period.
JA went on a 17-0 run to end the set and held a 39-2 advantage at the halftime break.
As a result, the entire second half was played under the running clock rule.
Alder’s starters went back onto the floor for about a minute or so during the third quarter.
Ferrito, Platfoot, Katie Hooley, Ellie Heisler and Reggan Gray, however, didn’t stay out there very long.
Once the starters left the floor, they had the rest of the night off as Alder’s subs finished out the game.
Olivia Zurro and Avery Murdock put up baskets that helped send the Lady Pioneers into the fourth quarter with a 49-2 advantage.
A three-pointer by Amani Via finally broke the Cougars’ extended dry spell.
By that time, however, Alder had built a 51-5 lead.
A pair of trifectas from Alyssa Miller later elevated the Lady Pioneers’ final advantage to 57-8.
The teams swapped possessions during the final minute as Alder lifted its record to 18-5.
Eggleston, whose team will host No. 13 Whitehall Friday evening in the next tournament contest, was happy to get another game in the book.
“We hadn’t played since Feb. 2 and the girls needed to get their basketball footing back,” he said. “We executed our offense and were able to get playing time for everyone.
“It felt good to get back on the court.”
Jonathan Alder
Ferrito 8-3-19, Platfoot 3-0-7, Keefer 3-0-6, Miller 2-0-6, Gray 2-0-5, Hooley 2-0-4, Heisler 2-0-4, A. Murdock 2-0-4, Zurro 1-0-2, J. Murdock 0-0-0, Sheridan 0-0-0, Walker 0-0-0, Heflin 0-0-0. Totals 25-3-57.
Three-point goals: Miller 2, Platfoot 1, Gray 1.
Cristo Rey
Sanders 1-1-3, Via 1-0-3, Haggins 1-0-2, Crockett 0-0-0, Thurman 0-0-0, Ongor 0-0-0, Fernandez 0-0-0, Reyes-Guijosa 0-0-0, Loayza 0-0-0. Totals 3-1-8.
Three-point goal: Via 1.