FREDERICK, Md. -  An energetic first half for the women's basketball earned the victory against Wilson 67-58 while hosting Ballenger Creek Elementary for a field trip on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Inside the Box Score

Chanelle Lee (Brunswick, Md./Saint John's Catholic Prep) led the Blazers with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Aliyah Taylor (Randallstown, Md./Pikesville High School) shot 75 percent with 13 points on the day with seven rebounds and three assists.

Tiffany Manning (Randallstown, Md./Western Tech) scored 10 and had eight rebounds of her own.
 
How it Happened

With the blue pompoms waving, the popcorn popping and the elementary schoolers screaming, Woodsboro Bank Arena was loud.

However, the Blazers were making their own noise in the first half.

Taylor became effective taking contact getting to the bucket while Manning is in full stride of her floor general duties by scoring and pushing the ball down the court.

Unfamiliar territory for both teams with a sea full of elementary schoolers doing whatever they could to deter opposing baskets and cheer on the Blazers.
 
Deterred shots by the Phoenix via block and tough looks left them shooting under 30 percent and Hood's efficiency led to a 15-point lead entering half.
 
Two quarters had passed, and the elementary schoolers had started to lose some steam. Hood started to slow down, and Wilson took the opportunity to get back in the game.
 
The Phoenix shot 50 percent in the third quarter and found ways to outrebound on the offensive end to bring the lead to within five.
 
A Wilson possession that saw many missed shots and resulted in a shot clock violation was turned into a jump shot bucket by Manning that was followed by an ear-piercing screech we heard in the first half.
 
Wilson's Lae Black took two steps into the paint and was fouled as her shot slingshotted off the backboard and stayed in the bucket to bring the game within three at 52-48 with less than eight to go.
 
Later, Amya Pulley (Reistertown, Md./Western Tech) came up with a steal and lead to Taylor cleaning up first shot with a made basket. The Blazers benefited from play in the paint with big buckets by Taylor, Kortney Johnson, and Manning.
 
A bad pass by the Phoenix had been tipped by Faust and rolled off the defenders back before took the steal and had Lee finish the play with three minutes to go to stop the momentum and let the kids celebrate.
 
For the Opponent

Adrianna Stricek had 14 points and 12 boards.

Jewels Torres had 9 points and three assists.

Analysis

Hood dominated points in the paint at 36-16. 12 came in the fourth quarter.

Wilson won the points off turnover battle at 21-18.

Up Next

The squad will take on Hollins University on Sunday, December 29 for the Blazers last calendar home game of 2024 at 3 p.m. in Woodsboro Bank Arena.