Clackamas coeds fire up at sixth-ranked Tualatin

The Cavaliers use ball control and the inside play of Jen Reese to beat the Wolves in their house

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Dec 23, 2009

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TUALATIN – The Clackamas Cavaliers’ varsity girls basketball team gained a few believers Friday night, when they ran their preseason record to 6-0 with a 57-51 win at sixth-ranked Tualatin.

“It was a triple play,” said Clackamas coach Ken Trapp. “We beat them on the freshmen, jayvee and varsity levels.”

The Cavalier varsity got off to a slow start, thanks to early-game jitters. They trailed 7-0 at the start of the game, but gradually clawed their way back.

“They like to press,” said Trapp. “The key to the whole thing is we were able to keep our poise and not let the press affect us.”

There was another key. Her name is Jen Reese. A 6-2 junior post, Reese proved a handful for the Wolves, as she took the ball to the basket for a game-high 23 points and hauled down 20 rebounds – eight of them at the offensive end of the floor.

Reese was 8-of-14 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the line.

Junior post Mackenzie Owens (10 points) and freshman guard Deeshyra Thomas (10 points) joined Reese in double figures in scoring.

Junior point guard Natalie Myers sparked the offense with five assists, and headed up the Cavalier defensive effort with five steals.

The Cavaliers rallied to a 28-23 lead by halftime, and they led 44-35 heading into the final period.

“I was proud of our girls and the way they stepped up and met the challenge,” said Trapp. “They played at a new level of intensity. It’s not the level that we want to end up at, but we’re getting there. It’s a step up the ladder.”

The Cavaliers were in charge all the way in a Dec. 15 game with Glencoe. They defeated the Crimson Tide 55-49, and they were up 52-31 heading into the fourth period, when Trapp cleared his bench.

Reese (24 points) led eight Clackamas players who put points on the scoreboard.

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