By Deshaun Presley
The Seattle Medium
Friday night in the Central District of Seattle, the Metro League leading, and the state’s top-ranked team the Lady Bulldogs of Garfield High School (9-4, 9-0) took on the 10th ranked Lakeside Lady Lions (8-3, 6-2) in an exciting matchup to say the least.
Garfield, hobbled by injuries, created a nucleus of role players inserted into the lineup by Head Coach Marvin Hall to carry the work load against a very good Lakeside Lady Lions ball club. Missing the senior leadership from small forward and University of California commit Dalayah Daniels, point guards Cari Davis and Kareyna Taylor, who all look to be back in the lineup soon, the Bulldogs would have to rely on their depth to pull out a win against the Lady Lions.
Lakeside began the game in a two-three zone that stifled the Lady Bulldogs on the offensive end causing them to move the basketball around the perimeter and attempting long jump shots. Led by the scoring attack of freshman Claire O’Conner and sophomore center Hannah Dickinson, the Lady Lions game plan created a close ball game throughout the first quarter, as they trailed by only three points, 13-10, at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, Coach Hall lit a fire under the Lady Bulldogs and turned to his senior guard and University of Michigan commit Meghan Fiso to carry the workload and create shots for her teammates. Fiso responded with 8 points and two assists in the quarter. However, the Lady Bulldogs trailed at the half 26-23 as Lakeside junior Elise Koh knocked down a deep three-point basket right before the half.
At the start of second half, Garfield freshman guard Navaeh Talbert began inserting herself into the flow of the game, slashing to the basket scoring on layups and knocking down deep, three-point baskets to help the Lady Bulldogs build a 39-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Down the stretch of the game, the Garfield tandem of Fiso and junior Kamia Crudup helped the lady Bulldogs distance themselves from the Lady Lions. Fiso, who scored 10 second half points, finished the game strong, while Crudup had many crucial rebounds and put backs as Garfield earned a tough 57-48 victory at home.
Garfield was led by Navaeh Talbert who finished the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Fiso chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Lakeside was led by Claire O’Conner who finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds in the contest.
The Lady Bulldogs will be on the road for next matchup on Jan. 15 against the Bainbridge Spartans of Banbridge Island, Washington. The Lady Lions will also take to the road to face the Nathan Hale Lady Raiders of the Metro League on Weds. Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Pictorial Highlights of Garfield Girls vs Lakeside Girls
Photos by John Saunders
More photos available at flixandpinw.com
