West Newsmagazine 12-14-16

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Principia girls set basketball records
winning final Kennedy Tournament
December 14, 2016
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I SPORTS I 29
By WARREN MAYES
The Principia Panthers set two
school records and made a little
bit of high school girls basketball
history, winning the final Kennedy
Tournament.
At press time, Principia was off
to a 4-1 start. The lone blemish was
a narrow 63-60 loss to Lutheran
South. Coach Shad Nichols said
he’s pleased with how his squad is
playing.
“I was definitely hopeful and I
knew it was possible that this team
has it in them to truly make this
a special and memorable season,” Nichols
said. “We have a strong core that has
played for over four years together, going
back to middle school.”
During the tournament, Principia set a
team record for allowing the fewest points
ever in a game. Senior Caitlyn Demaree
also set a single-game scoring record as the
Panthers went 3-0 to win the tournament.
“We liked that it was a bracket-style, close
to home and a true small-school tournament,
which is something that is rare for St.
Louis,” Nichols said. “A team improves the
most rapidly against even competition and
that is what the tournament gave us – games
against schools the same size with similarsized
personnel, so it was a great opportunity
for improvement and success. Principia
opened with a 54-4 win over Northwest
Academy. It was the lowest points the Panthers
have ever allowed in a game.
“The previous record was a 45-7 win
over Clayton in 2009, during my first year
as coach,” Nichols said. “This team has
been working hard to improve defensively.
It has shown it can score, but we need to
put it all together at both ends of the floor
to truly move forward.
“We played very well defensively with
improved focus and effort. It was a nice
opportunity to give some of our younger
players a chance to develop confidence.
[Sophomore] Tessa Boyman and [freshman]
Jordan Fredrickson are playing huge roles for
us this year, so it was a good game to get into
the rhythm and speed of varsity basketball.”
In the semifinal, the Panthers defeated
Grandview 42-32. The competitive game
gave Nichols a chance to see how his team
would react.
What made the difference in the game
was the Panthers’ defense, Nichols said.
“We held them to two points in the second
quarter and only 21 through the first three
quarters,” Nichols said. “Georgia Rather
was a standout at the top of our defense;
being disruptive. Cameron Bania really
Principia Panthers girls basketball team
played a great game at point guard with one
turnover, getting shooters open and keeping
us organized against an aggressive defense.”
The win sent Principia into the championship
game against Herculaneum. It was the
first-ever meeting between the two teams.
“They play a unique style,” Nichols said
about Herculaneum. “Basically, the first
player to catch the ball on their side of
half court shoots a 3. Their coach has been
quoted as saying, ‘We shoot first and don’t
ask questions.’”
So the game boiled down to a long-range
shooting contest. Principia ended with an
80-59 victory.
“We made 13 3-pointers and they made
15 for a combined total of 28,” Nichols
said. “It was a fun game for high school
girls basketball.”
Demaree scored a record 37 points on 8
3-pointers, breaking her own record.
“The previous record was actually Caitlyn’s
when she scored 35 last season versus
Crossroads,” Nichols said. “She actually
holds the top three games with 37, 35, and
32 points.”
Nichols was happy to see Demaree top
her own record.
“It was really special because of the setting,”
Nichols said. “To set a school record
for points in a championship game, when
your team needs you the most, really shows
a lot about the quality of her leadership and
character, not just her skill as a player.”
Junior Kate Hinds added in a doubledouble
in the championship game with 13
points and 11 rebounds. So far, Hinds is
averaging 15.6 points a game.
“Kate has truly broken out this season,”
Nichols said. “Coming into the game, I
think the defensive focus of Herculaneum
was more on her than it was on Caitlyn.
That’s how successful she’s been early in
the season. She leads St. Louis in 3-pointers
made and is averaging 7 rebounds game.
She is putting it all together on both ends of
the floor for us and it’s really fun to watch.”
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