by Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek is one win away from playing for a state title in girls basketball.
The Lady Cougars departed Ruston Tuesday morning, heading to Hammond where the No. 2 seed will face the No. 3 seed JS Clark Academy. Tipoff at University Center on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana is set for 1 p.m. today.
Head coach Katie Hall and Co. put their 16-game winning streak on the line. The Lady Cougars (28-3) advanced to the Sweet 16 by virtue of a 59-24 win over St. Frederick and a 47-28 win over Hamilton Christian.
The Lady Cougars have recorded some impressive wins this year, including victories over two teams who have already advanced to their state title game in Arcadia (NonSelect DIV) and Summerfield (Class C). However, Hall said JS Clark provides one of the biggest challenges to date.
“They have a dynamic point guard (in Taylor Barnaba) that is a lefty that will be tough to guard,” said Hall. “We have to try to contain her from getting loose. She can shoot. She can dish. She can get to the paint. She has a really great all around game. We haven’t faced a point guard of this caliber this year.
“They have solid post players on the inside. The have a shooter on the outside. They are a really good team. We wouldn’t expect anything less.”
JS Clark Academy (24-8), located in Opelousas, advanced to Hammond by defeating Westminster Christian (68-27) and Ascension Catholic (64-36). The Bulldogs have won nine straight since losing back-to-back games to Class 5A Walker and Parkway, the top two ranked teams in NonSelect Division I.
For much of the season, Cedar Creek has had an advantage on the inside with junior Avery Ryan. The 6-foot-2-inch Ryan possesses brute strength and the ability to score, rebound and defend at a high level, a combination that has given the Lady Cougars the advantage in most of their outings.
“I like how we match up inside, but we have to be able to block out,” said Hall. “We have gotten away with having some sloppy, undisciplined habits when it comes to blocking out and we have to do a better job with that. They are athletic and they will crash the boards. We can’t just try to outjump them.”
The Lady Cougars have practiced the last few days in college arenas in order to prepare for the bigger court they will face at Southeastern, using both Louisiana Tech and Grambling State’s facilities. Hall said she isn’t 100 percent what her team will see defensively against JS Clark Academy, but feels they should be ready for a variety of looks.
“They are going to press full-court, 2-2-1,” said Hall. “They are going to play man. And they will play some zone. We have seen it all this year so our girls shouldn’t be surprised. They should be confident knowing we’ve seen it and can handle it.”
The winner of the contest will face the winner of No. 1 seed Southern Lab vs. No. 5 seed Ouachita Christian, a game that will tip at 2:45 p.m.
The title game is set for Saturday at 12 p.m.
