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Single digit defense fuels Spartans hoops win

By Mike Zima Correspondent
Posted 2/13/23

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day’s Taliah Scott, Mary Kate Kent and Kendall Proffitt buried visiting St. Joseph Academy under a barrage of three-pointers as the Spartans advanced to the Class 2A …

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Single digit defense fuels Spartans hoops win


Posted

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day’s Taliah Scott, Mary Kate Kent and Kendall Proffitt buried visiting St. Joseph Academy under a barrage of three-pointers as the Spartans advanced to the Class 2A Regional Semifinals with a 64-29 victory on February 9. St. Joseph Academy was held to under 10 points per quarter; 8, 9, 8, 4, by the Lady Spartan defense.

Scott nailed six treys while Kent and Proffitt made three apiece as SJCD shot a sizzling 48.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Spartans made 13 three-point field goals, more than the twelve two-point baskets they converted. SJCD hoisted up 27 shots from long distance in the game.

“I would not say we rely on the three-pointer, but we tell the girls if they have open looks to take the shot,” explained SJCD head coach Yolanda Bronston.”I have got three girls who can shoot the leather off of the ball.”

With Scott directing the offense from the point, Kent and Proffitt on the wings, Juliet Moody at the free throw line and Semaj Williams running the baseline, the Spartans moved the ball to whoever the Flashes left open. Scott led all scorers with 24 points, Kent finished with 14, and Proffitt, a seventh-grader, added 11. Williams chipped in with nine.

“Having three great shooters allows us to spread the defense,” said Bronston. “Everybody wants to focus on Taliah [an Arkansas commitment], but that makes the defense play honest.”

Six of the first seven SJCD field goals were from beyond the arc. Kent got the hosts off to a quick lead by making three-pointers on consecutive possessions to put SJCD ahead 6-2. When St. Joseph Academy closed the gap to 9-8 on a put-back by center Elizabeth Rowe, Proffitt nailed a trey from the right wing to start an 11-0 Spartans run that put SJCD ahead 20-8 at the end of the first quarter. Scott, who had not scored to that point, scored the final eight points of the spurt on left-handed lay-up, a step-back three from the left wing and an open three from top of the key. The Flashes never seriously threatened from that point.

While the three markswomen were doing the offensive damage, the Spartans suffocating man-to-man full court press prevented the Flashes from closing the gap. SJCD forced 18 SJA turnovers, five in the first quarter. The Spartans held the Flashes to less than 10 points in each quarter.

“We usually don’ press like that a lot, but it’s playoff time,”said Bronston, who emphasized the importance of defense and rebounding after the game.

“Pat Summit [the former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach, who won 1,098 games and eight NCAA championships] said, “Offense sells tickets, but defense and rebounding win championships,” Bronson said. “So every day, our focus is on defense and rebounding.”

The Spartans led 30-17 at halftime and outscored SJA 18-3 in the first 5:30 of the third quarter to put the game away.

Scott, a senior guard, filled up the stat sheet with six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block.

“Taliah is a complete player,” Bronston said. “She can score at all three levels, and has an extremely high basketball IQ.”

St. Johns Country Day extended their winning streak to six games. The Spartans, ranked second in Florida’s Class 2A by www.MaxPreps.com, will take on Quincy Munroe (13-9) on February 14. SJCD defeated the Bobcats 67-50 on December 2, but Bronston was not taking Munroe lightly.

“Everybody is a challenge in the playoffs,” she warned.

Junior point guard Kelly Cramer scored 17 points for St. Joseph Academy, which ended its season 15-9.