The Columbia Academy Lady Cougars (14-9) have been playing their best basketball the last two weeks and extended their winning streak to three games with a convincing 51-17 victory over Sumrall Friday night on their home court.
Morgan Jones provided Columbia Academy with a steady presence in the low post, scoring a game-high 15 points, while Lauren Rowley added 12 points and Gabby Sullivan contributed 10. Columbia Academy’s defense stymied the Lady Bobcats, which didn’t have a single player score more than four points.
“The girls have been playing extremely well as of late,” head coach Dale Watts said. “They did real well against Sumrall. Our defense created a lot of offense for us, which is what I really want and like.”
Columbia Academy’s good fortunes flamed out Saturday, though, in a tough 48-44 overtime loss to Centreville Academy on the road.
Jones paced the Lady Cougars with 10 points, Madison McDaniel added eight and Sullivan chipped in seven. Centreville had three players reach double figures in scoring, led by Karlyn Dalton’s 14 points.
“It was a fairly hostile environment; the crowd got loud. We led most of the game, but Lauren Rowley fouled out midway through the third quarter,” Watts explained. “That really hurt us in our ball handling and taking care of the basketball. That was a big deal. When it got down to the end and got close, our decision making was not very good. We didn’t handle the ball or the pressure.”
While the Lady Cougars didn’t come away with the win, Watts believed the experience of losing a tough game like that will be beneficial for them.
“It was a good learning experience for us. When you get around to playoff basketball, that’s the way it’s going to be. With (Rowley) fouling out, some of the other girls had to step up,” he said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, especially early. We missed a lot of shots we normally make five or six from the basket. When you compound all that, our girls still have a way to grow. It was an environment we need to be in.”
Jones has been the focal point of the offense more and more as the season has progressed, leading the Lady Cougars in scoring in three of their last four games, but Watts believes she is just scratching the surface of what she can be offensively.
“Morgan is hard-nosed and an excellent player. She’s not quite as strong as I would like in the low post area, but at the same time she shoots the ball facing the basket with those 8-to-12-foot shots really well,” he said. “That’s an adjustment for us and for her. I need her to be a little stronger and better with her back to the basket yet I’ve got to get her the ball a little more facing up in better positions.”
Though the Lady Cougars have been winning with more frequency, Watts said they’re still not mentally tough enough yet.
“Most people don’t understand what mental toughness means. Mental toughness means when all heck is breaking loose all around you, you have to be able to maintain your composure,” he said. “That’s the mental toughness that I’m looking for.”
The Lady Cougars will need that mental toughness in the coming weeks after beginning district play Tuesday night against Wayne Academy (results unavailable at press time), which is even more crucial considering how their schedule is set up this season.
“With us not having a district tournament — we’re going to play a double round robin with six games (in the regular season) that will seed us for South State — all four teams are going to be vying for that top seed,” Watts said. “These games are going to be more important for us and the opponent. I think when there’s more on the line and it’s more than a regular season game, everything steps us. The opponents step up and even the officiating. I’m really looking forward to these next three weeks that these girls can learn to step up.”
The Lady Cougars will head to Franklinton, La., Friday night to take on Bowling Green in their second district game. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Pictured Above: Lauren Rowley rises for a runner in the lane. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
