Girls varsity basketball: The Lady Cowboys take on Nova

BY HAILEY BROWN

As the girls headed into their third week of games, they started to learn more and more about each other and start to play better together as a team. The new addition, who came from out of state, blended right in with the team and the way they play. The team was scheduled to play three very competitive teams this week, Nova being one of them. Nova has proved, in previous seasons, to be a very competitive team.

On Tuesday, December 12, the girls varsity basketball team took on the Nova Titans at Nova High School. Nova came out very strong dominating the first quarter and essentially the rest of the game. Nova was able to take the lead very early in the game and end the game with a score of 74-13.

As the game began you could see Nova came  ready to play. They made multiple steals leading to many turnovers for the Cowboys. Sophomore Rylee Horton was able to pull up and get a shot off in front of the three point line gaining the Cowboys two points. The Titans dominated the game and had possession of the ball the majority of the game. The Cowboys were able to get the ball down the court and get a pass in the paint to Junior Isabella Wisler who was able to make the easy lay up and get the Cowboys another two points. The Titans were able to capitalize off of the Cowboys fouls making all their free throws with the exception of one, giving them eight points on free throws alone. By the time the first quarter came to an end the Titans were able to put themselves ahead by 26 points.

Once the teams hit the court again Nova kept the same level of intensity as they had before. They continued to steal the ball and cause multiple turnovers, as well as scoring plenty of points. Kia Keppel was was able to receive a pass in the paint while she was unguarded and make a lay up and putting another two points on the board for Cooper City. Nova was once again able to capitalize off of the fouls made by the Cowboys and score three points, only missing one free throw. Nova was able to put another 17 points on the board in the second quarter giving them a comfortable lead over the Cowboys. With Nova up by 41 points before half they were able to secure the win over the Cowboys.

After half time, a much needed break for the Cowboys, both teams went at it again battling for any points they could get. Rylee Horton was able to receive a pass that she would later put up for another two points. Nova was able to sink 19 points in the third quarter, three of them coming for a three point shot. Kaia Weaver was fouled by the Titans but was not able to make either free throws, ending the third quarter with a score of 66-8.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter Nova began to put some of the second string players in the game. The Cowboys were able to keep the Titans to just scoring eight points and keep from fouling anymore players. Rylee Horton was fouled by a Titan and was able to sink one of the free throws. Kia Keppel was found in the paint once again where she was able to put another two points up on the board. Aliyah Khan was also found in the paint and was also able to put another two points up, finishing the game with a score of 74-13.

Photo by Ryan Sullivan