![]() (Nikki Lukens and Aleksa Peterson combined to score 25 points in a win over Hartford Public) Rocky Hill girls’ basketball scored at will and their defense harassed visiting Hartford Public early and often during the Terriers 65-22 victory at RHHS last Tuesday night. The victory was the team’s fourth straight and although the result was expected, it wasn’t the final score that matter. Head coach Allyson Smith-Toulouse has peached playing for an entire 32 minutes and the convincing victory was another step towards their ultimate goal---a potential title run in Class M state tournament. “This time of the year you have to do whatever it takes to win and stay focused,” said the fifth-year coach, “This stretch is more about the little things. The approach is executing on offense and having a good game plan on defense because it’s more important to be disciplined in those sets and get the looks that we may overlook in a closer game.” Constant ball movement and a relentless defensive press allowed the home team to jump out to an early 16-2 advantage before coasting to a comfortable 39-8 lead at the half. Junior guard Nikki Lukens continued to excel on the offensive end with a game-high 16 points, but it’s been her work the on the defensive end that has stood out this winter. “She’s always been a tenacious defender because she’s so long and she anticipates really well. She’s a very efficient defender and for a kid her size and how much she plays, she doesn’t foul much either. Her size plays to her advantage because more often than not whoever she is guarding is probably outmatched,” Smith-Toulouse said of Lukens, who is the team’s leading scorer, “She’s been getting tougher in the paint and finishing stronger. I think she’s becoming a more well-rounded player and she still has the finesse side but she’s definitely more impactful with the physicality on the defensive end.” Lukens role as a leader has also increased, teaming with a strong group of seniors and giving the Terriers plenty of experience. Grace Fisher, Lizzy Denardo, and Samantha Steinman have embraced the senior captain roles, each bringing a different dynamic on the court. “Grace is a leader by doing and she’s a great kid and Sammy is such a great leader vocally and she knows the system,” said their proud coach, “Lizzy has been great with Nikki and helped develop her because she’s more of the floor captain on any given night.” The trio, along with Lukens and fellow senior Grace Moore, has a noticeable chemistry on the court. “A game like this prepares us for games coming up. It basically comes down to working as a team and building up the chemistry that we need in order to win all these games,” said Steinman. Whether it’s helping out defensively or moving without the ball, the players are working as one. “I like to look for the most high-percentage shots, so either I’m taking it in or if I see Grace Fisher or Grace Moore down low or if it’s someone outside or back cutting. I always look for the better opportunity for us to score,” said Denardo, who scored five or her seven points in the opening quarter. Denardo wasted little time on Tuesday night, knocking down a shot from beyond the arc less than 15 seconds into the game after Lukens snared an offensive rebound and kicked it out to her for the uncontested three. Fisher also made her presence felt early, scoring four of her eight points in the opening quarter and delivered several crisp passes to cutters from the top of the key. “I’ve worked on being stronger with the ball and passing,” said Fisher, who earned all-conference as a junior, “We talk about looking for who is open and we’re always looking for the back doors.” Leading 53-8 midway through the third, Smith-Toulouse started to clear her bench, allowing the next generation of Terriers a chance to finish the game. Starting sophomore Aleksa Peterson finished with nine points and freshman Peggy Minga shined in the third and fourth quarter, adding six points. All told, 11 Terriers broke into the scoring column on Tuesday night. “Every game that is a sustainable lead our seniors will usually come out and I’ll play Aleksa and or Nikki with some of the younger group to start building for the future,” stated Smith-Toulouse, “I’m always thinking program building for next year. These seniors are amazing leaders and they have a lot of pride and I think it’s fun for them to sit and watch what they’ve helped develop for the future. We have 17 kids and those juniors and seniors treat the young kids amazing.” The veteran players have embraced their roles, setting an example for their successors. “It’s important for them to get minutes, because it’s important for them to practice for the upcoming years when we’re not here anymore,” said Fisher. “We’re constantly talking to the girls and keeping it positive on the court no matter if they’re having a good game or a bad game,” added Steinman, “If we’re all in it together, we’re going to win together.” Offensively the team has been efficient but defense is still the name of the game in Rocky Hill. The 22 points allowed against Hartford Public was the second fewest the team has allowed all season and it was their third straight contest holding an opponent under 27 points. Last Friday the team had another signature moment, rallying from 13 down to defeat Windsor 36-32 on the road. A 22-3 run secured the team’s fifth win in a row, improving their record to 13-3 as the week closed. In the come-from-behind win, Fisher scored 14 and grabbed nine rebounds and Lukens added 14 points and seven boards. The Terriers will close the regular season with a pair of conference home games, starting this Friday (Feb 9) against Wethersfield and finishing up Monday (Feb 12) against Newington. The home finales will be the appetizers for the tournaments, which are only a few weeks away. Smith-Toulouse and her girls advanced to the second round of the Class M tourney last winter but this year’s group has experience and confidence on their side. “It’s fun because now they are molded into the program and they have also helped build that too. I am proud and I feel like I can trust the process and trust in my seniors that we’ll get the right play and they’ll come up big in huge moments. We’ve had several huge moments this year and that’s a testament to their leadership and discipline as veterans. We just have to stay focused on the things that we can control.”
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorSports Editor for the Rare Reminder, Glastonbury Citizen, and Rivereast News Bulletin Archives
April 2024
Categories |