Jordan Bridges 20 points, 11 rebounds
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
Taylor Meyer and Jordan Bridges combined for 43 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Tigers past Rochester Century 64-29 Saturday night at Tiger Gym. The Section 1AA semifinal victory vaulted Farmington (23-3) into the section title game against Rochester Mayo (20-6) Friday night in Rochester.
Despite the final lopsided score the game was close early with the Tigers trailing 10-8 with 10:30 remaining in the first half.
"Century mixed up its defenses and it took us a little bit to adjust," Tiger coach Jason Berg said.
And adjust they did. The Tigers closed the half on a dominating 27-5 run keyed by seven offensive rebounds turned into baskets by Meyer and Bridges. In a nine-minute stretch during the blitz, the suffocating Farmington defense didn't allow a point.
The Tigers picked up right where they left off after the break, scoring the first nine points of the second half. During that stretch, Century got off just two shots and committed seven turnovers.
After the sluggish start, Farmington was aggressive with the basketball.
"As a team, we did a good job of attacking their defense," Berg said. "We got to the free throw line 26 times (making 19)."
Meyer and Bridges each finished with statistical double-doubles with Meyer totaling 23 points and 11 rebounds and Bridges 20 points and 11 boards.
Jamie Kenealy chipped in with eight points and three steals and Elena Koch netted five points and grabbed seven rebounds. Shelby Calhoun handed out a team-high four assists.
Berg also lauded the defensive work of Calhoun and Isis Alexander who combined to hold Kanani Asuncion, Century's leading scorer to just three points.
The appearance in the section championship game will be Farmington's second in three years. The Tigers lost to Rochester John Marshall in the 2009 title tilt.
No Farmington girls team has ever qualified for the state tournament. The only Tiger boys team to make a trip to state did so in 1937. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:15 at the Rochester Civic Center.
