Brookfield learned something from their first encounter with Mexico back in December. They opened Monday’s encounter in the Macon Tournament in a zone, and it worked – for a few minutes.
Once …
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Brookfield learned something from their first encounter with Mexico back in December. They opened Monday’s encounter in the Macon Tournament in a zone, and it worked – for a few minutes.
Once Mexico’s Bulldogs broke through they were near unstoppable, cruising to a 68-26 win to go 10-2 on the year.
“At the beginning of the year teams didn’t know who we were,” explained Taylor DeMint. “When they play man, teams can’t stop us. The zone slows us down.”
The Bulldogs began to edge away in the first. And when Ruby Haefling drained a three in the second, the faucet opened.
“That got us going,” said head coach Ed Costley. “We started to get in the flow.”
By halftime Mexico had doubled up on Brookfield, 30-14.
“It was exciting,” Haefling said of the critical three. But, she added, “our defense won the game.”
The Bulldogs cut off lanes and robbed Brookfield of put back opportunities. Riley Thurman grabbed 3 rebounds, as did Jordyn Thurman.
And Mya Miller, who is always an offensive threat, pulled down 12, to go with 5 steals.
She had 18 points on the night for a double-double, but it was her presence at the post that made the difference.
Short on inside players Monday night, Costley moved Miller to the middle on defense – a new role for the prolific forward.
“It was something different,” she said. “But he needed someone to take away the high post.”
Brookfield never scored double-digits in a quarter.
Meanwhile all nine of Costley’s available roster scored. Miller paced the squad, followed by Alexis Willer, who dropped 10, to go with 3 assists. DeMint hit for 9 and Riley Blevins added 8.
Riley Thurman’s 7 points made for a potent pair of Rileys.
Haefling added a second three to collect 6 points on the night, Abby Oetting picked up 5 and Elizabeth Joiner totaled 4. Jordyn Thurman popped in 2.
In December Mexico outscored Brookfield 48-17 at home. Judging by the outcome alone, the team has shown improvement.
“We’re practicing a lot better together,” Joiner said, explaining the change.
“I don’t think we’re at our peak yet,” Miller added.
