Pgh Obama Turns Over Allderdice for City League Girls Crown
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Saturday, February 20, 2016 | 7:18 PM
Obama Academy (20-4) used a smothering 2-2-1 press defense to help run away with a 64-33 win over Allderdice (11-13) on Saturday afternoon at the Peterson Events Center.
Michaela Porter, daughter of former Pitt star Darrell Porter, scored a game-high 21 points and snagged 13 rebounds, leading the Eagles to their third straight Pittsburgh City League Girls Basketball Championship win over the Dragons.
The win was not as easy for Obama Academy as the final score indicated. The Eagles would hop out to a 19-3 lead, but see the Dragons end the first half on a 16-3 run. After 16 minutes, Obama Academy would lead 22-19. But the Eagles outscored Allderdice 42-14 in the second half due, in large part, to 37 forced turnovers in the game.
“I told them to come out with determination,” said Obama Academy head coach Monique McCoy on her halftime speech. “I told them to play hard and to play Obama Lady Eagles basketball.”
Taylor Stewart scored seven of her nine points after halftime and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Kennedy Bowens added 12 points. But it was Porter’s efforts, scoring 12 second half points, that paced the Eagles.
“(Porter) is easy to coach,” said McCoy. “She listens and works hard. That makes it easy for us as coaches. That’s what makes her do what she’s doing right now.”
Obama Academy’s standard 2-2-1 press forced ten first quarter turnovers, seven in the second quarter, and 10 in the third and fourth quarters each.
“We have been doing the 2-2-1 press for past three years,” said McCoy. “We knew we had the height and long arms for it. And they’re so athletic. I wish I had that athleticism in high school.”
The Eagles also did fine work on the glass, out-rebounding Allderdice 50-37.
Allderdice received nine points and 12 rebounds from Lyric Harper, nine points and five rebounds from AuJanae Givner and eight points and eight rebounds from Gali Isaacson.
Obama Academy advances to the PIAA Girls AAAA Playoffs as the lone representative from District 8 and will be the District 7 (WPIAL) runner-up next week in the PIAA First Round. Allderdice’s season comes to an end with their fourth straight loss in the City League Championship Game and seventh straight loss to Obama Academy.
Score By Quarters:
O: 8-14-23-19=64
A: 3-16-8-14=33
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