It’s a new year and it’s time for a fresh start for Xavier
Prep’s basketball team.
The Gators finished 2014 with a 47-39 loss to Cave Creek
Cactus Shadows in the (Mesa) Red Mountain Holiday Classic on Wednesday (Dec.
31).
“This is by no means a reflection of our team and the way we
are capable of playing,’’ said Gators coach Michelle Williamson. “We want to
end this year (2014) on a positive note. The kids have been working very hard
on their discipline the last few weeks, particularly on defense.’’
As with some of their previous recent games in the
tournament, the Gators kept it close, trailing by two points at halftime. But
they couldn’t come up with the plays they needed to down the stretch.
The Gators were frustrated by a disadvantage in fouls in the
second half, which resulted in Cactus Shadows converting 12 of 20 free-throw
attempts. At one point, Xavier had been
called for 10 fouls, Cactus Shadows only two. Xavier made 4 of its 8 free-throw
attempts in the second half.
Three players combined to score 38 of Xavier’s points –
junior Vanessa Murphy (15), freshman Alana Kelley (13) and freshman Katie
Hassett (10).
Williamson was pleased with the all-around play of Hassett,
who is expected to see more playing time in 2015 with the season-ending knee
injury to freshman Montana Oltrogge.
The Gators (5-10) will have at least a few days off before
resuming practice. XCP will have two home games next week – on Thursday (Jan.
8) against Mesa Westwood and on Friday (Jan. 9) against Phoenix Desert Vista
(Ahwatukee).
“We wanted the kids to play a lot of minutes in the
tournament, and they were able to do that,’’ said Williamson.
“Now it is time to go back to work. We will go back to tear
down our offense a bit and make some adjustments, and we are going to give the
players specific things to work on as individuals. We have confidence in our
players.’’
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