Girls BB: Tigers fall at Chanhassen

Kaitlyn Gorden 9 points, 7 rebounds (photo by Jim Lindquist)

The Tigers spotted league-leading Chanhassen a 9-0 lead out of the gate and could never recover in a 70-37 loss Friday night at Chanhassen.

 "We have talked about showing up ready to play," Tiger coach Sondra Chadwick said. "Once we settled in we stayed with them the rest of the half."

The visitors trailed 30-18 at halftime but after cutting the deficit to nine on a quick three-point play by Sydney Speer to start the second period couldn't contain the high-powered Storm (6-1 in conference play).

"After that, turnovers and defensive breakdowns let them (Chanhassen) go on another run...I was disappointed in our lack of defensive intensity in the second half."

The Storm centered their defense on preventing Farmington leading scorer Sofia Chadwick from touching the ball and the strategy paid dividends. Chadwick was held to a season-low four points, a full 11 points below her season average


If there was a bright spot in the girls' sixth straight conference loss, it was the ability of some of the other players to pick up Chadwick's scoring slack.

Sydney Speer season-high 11 points (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Abby Gallus scored 11 points in the losing effort and Speer matched that with her season-high. Kaitlyn Gorden had nine points, seven rebounds and a team-high three steals. Chadwick added four assists and three steals.

Two team statistics stood out for the Tigers. They shot just 29 percent from the floor and committed 20 turnovers against the feisty Chanhassen defense.

"I'd like to see us respond to pressure better," coach Chadwick said, "and shooting has been a trouble spot for us all year."

The loss at Chanhassen was the third straight road game for the Tigers who return to Tiger Gym Tuesday night to entertain Northfield in a battle of winless teams in the conference.

"I'm looking forward to playing at home after two straight weeks on the road," Chadwick said.