Girls varsity basketball: Lady Cowboys take a tough loss against Plantation High School 86-64

BY HAILEY BROWN

The cheerleaders lined up with the banner as the Lady Cowboys ran through, taking their traditional lap around the court before each home game. As their warm-up came to an end, the families of the seniors began to walk their daughters down the line for senior night. With there only being three seniors, the ceremony was short and the game was able to get started right away.

On Monday January 29, the girls varsity basketball team faced off against Plantation High School at Cooper City High School in their last home game of the season. The Lady Cowboys started off the night with their senior night, introducing their seniors before the game. The Cowboys were able to keep the lead up until the third quarter, when Plantation started to play harder to put themselves ahead, and eventually win, with a score of 86-64.

Plantation was able to start off with a three-point shot, off of an inbound play, putting them ahead right away. Junior Isabella Wisler was able to get a pass in the paint and go up for two points immediately after. With the Colonels on offense, they were able to swing the ball and open up a three-point shot, adding another three points to the board. The Cowboys were able to come back, finding Wisler open for a three-pointer, making the score 5-6. Plantation was able to dribble right through the Cowboys defense and make an easy lay up.

The Cowboys were able to find senior Sophia Pera open, shooting a three and making the score 8-8. Cooper City was able to keep Plantation from scoring and were able to bring the ball back, which gave them two foul shots. Wisler was able to make both shots and put the Cowboys ahead. Plantation was able to find an open player, making another three. Senior Kassandra Espinosa brought the ball down and was able to find Pera for another three-pointer, putting the Cowboys ahead with two minutes left in the quarter. Plantation was able to get another two points, ending the first quarter.

The Cowboys started off the second quarter with a three made by Wisler. Plantation was able to come back and make another three, tying up the game. With the game being so close, they looked for a clutch three from Wisler, who took a shot just in front of the line, sinking a two-point shot. Espinosa was able to steal the ball and make a pass to Kaia Weaver, who was fouled on the way up, earning the Cowboys two more points from foul shots. Weaver was found uncovered at the three-point line and took the shot, giving the Cowboys three more points. The Colonels were able to steal the ball and bring it back for two more points on a breakaway, ending the half with a score of 29-27, with Cooper City ahead.

The third quarter started and Plantation was ready. They started to close down on the ball and make it difficult for Cooper City to get any points. Espinosa was able to get 12 points alone in the third quarter, while Plantation was able make a total of 28 points, putting themselves up by 9 points and ending the quarter with a score of 46-55.

Plantation dominated the whole fourth quarter, forcing many turnovers and making many steals off of their press. The Colonels were able to put up 31 points in the fourth quarter alone, while Cooper City was only able to put in 18. Plantation was able to hit a buzzer-beater three-point shot to end the game with a score of 64-86.

“We could have done better,” Pera said. ‘We just started to get tired towards the end of the game. But it was a senior night and we played our best and had fun, so that’s all that matters.”

Photo by Ryan Sullivan