By Bill Bray
TOLEDO – When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Those words were never as true as they were Monday evening at Notre Dame Academy as the Lady Giants found a way to win the TRAC clash 50-47.
Ross led after one quarter 12-8 as five Lady Giants scored points in the opening frame. Ross was outscored 16-15 in the second quarter, but Holmes scored seven points to help Fremont hold on to a three-point lead at 27-24 as the half ended.
It was more Holmes in the third period as she added seven more points to her total and to the scoreboard.
As the fourth quarter opened it was 39-31 in favor of Fremont. The Lady Giants had built a 10-point lead during play in the third period.
Notre Dame, not a team that gives up, tried to jump through some fourth quarter hoops as they came at the Lady Giants with 16 fourth-quarter points thanks to 10 points by Dekota Smith. Smith sank a three pointer with 2:58 remaining to give the Eagles a 42-41 lead. On Fremont’s next possession Robinson was off on her shot but the ever-present Abby Cahill was there to get the put-back as Ross took the lead back at 43-42 with 2:30 remaining.
Notre Dame (0-1) grabbed the lead back yet again thanks to Smith at 44-43 with 2:10 left. Robinson connected the next time down the court as Ross was again in front 45-44 with 1:44 left. Yet another three-ball from Smith gave Notre Dame a 47-45 lead with 1:22 left.
A dish from Cahill to Holmes resulted in no points as Holmes was fouled and sent to the line but she missed but going for the rebound, Cahill was tied up. The possession arrow favorited the Giants. Johnson saw an open Holmes and the senior laid the ball up for two and was sent to the foul line once again. Holmes’ conventional three-point play was good, and Ross was back on top 48-47 with 49.5 seconds remaining. Notre Dame committed a turnover giving Fremont the ball with 27.9 second remaining. The final bucket came-when Robinson found Cahill for a close range jumper. The Lady Giants left the Eagles’ nest improving their record to 4-0 to start the season.
The key, besides Holmes in the fourth quarter, was the tough play of Cahill. Cahill came up with three huge fourth quarter buckets that ended up being the difference in the contest. “Abby did an awesome job tonight being that second passer her skip passes and lobs to Janiah plus her timely shots were so important,” coach Juan Vela said. “I had said before the season started that after such a great volleyball season it would take both Abby and Lyndi Wolf time to get their timing down. Now I think we are starting to see that.”
After Holmes’ 21 points to lead the charge, Wolf added seven points with two 2-point shots and one 3-point shot. Destiny Robinson was held to six points but her assists and rebounds were her strong suit during the contest. Carma Johnson had six along with Cahill’s three buckets. Maylin DeWalt and Jasmin Heidelburg had two apiece.R
Next up for the 4-0 Lady Giants will be Three Rivers Athletic Conference opponent Toledo Whitmer. The game takes place Thursday night at the Purple Pit.
Abby Cahill (21) finds Janiah Holmes during closing action.
Carma Johnson (15) delivers a shot during the fourth quarter at Notre Dame
Destiny Robinson (11) drives toward the basket during the second half of play.
Coach Juan Vela discusses strategy with his team during a time out.
Senior Janiah Holmes (23) took a leadership role finishing with 21 points to lead all scorers in the TRAC debut.
The Lady Giants’ scoresheet tells the story.