Florence girls top Caon City

Good defense will always beat a good offense, as the saying goes.

The same held true Saturday night as Florence beat regional rival Caon City 64-46 in the girls final of the Sand Creek Stinger tournament. The win was Florence's third consecutive Stinger tournament championship.

Florence's trapping defense gave Caon City problems all game long, forcing numerous turnovers that turned into easy transition baskets.

Captain Melissa Wolfe said defense is something Florence has been working on since the season began.

"It was the first thing we practiced on the first day because we believe if you have a good defensive game, you'll have a good offensive game," she said.

Relying on its defense, Florence jumped out to a 32-20 lead at halftime with Wolfe benefiting from many transition baskets. Wolfe scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half.

Once the second half started, Florence's trapping defense clamped down on Caon City more, limiting its regional rival to 31 points after three quarters.

Florence coach Jill Decker said her team's defense in the third quarter was the key.

"I think we played better after they settled down at halftime and focused on the task at hand instead of thinking about the rivalry," she said.

Down 44-31 entering the fourth quarter, Caon City had several opportunities to cut into the lead but failed to.

Florence guard Toni Kinsey led all scorers with 15 points. Lacey Myhand added 14. Anna Watson led Caon City with 14 points.

In the boys game, Buena Vista used its long-distance shooting to dial up a 62-51 championship victory over Woodland Park.

Buena Vista hit four of its nine 3-point shots in a decisive third quarter to squash Woodland Park's comeback attempt.

Down 30-24 at halftime, Chris Dorozynski and Adam Stratton brought Woodland Park to within a point of Buena Vista early in the third. But Brian Wood and Dan Wyatt both hit momentum-killing 3- pointers to extend Buena Vista's lead that Woodland Park could not overcome.

Buena Vista's Wood scored a game-high 28 points. Mike Kinner's 18 points led Woodland Park.

In the consolation round, Falcon defeated Elizabeth 64-60 in the boys bracket and Buena Vista's girls team out-lasted Manitou Springs, 55-45.

Champions

BOYS: Woodland Park lost to Buena Vista 62-51.

GIRLS: Florence defeated Caon City 64-46.

Copyright 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.