Sports Digest Sports Digest (December 23, 2005)

CCOP Girls Basketball, 8th grade

The Catholic Community of Pleasanton (CCOP) 8th grade girls basketball team defeated a much improved St. Charles/St. Michael's team 38-19. CCOP had to fight back from an early eight point deficit to earn the victory. Alana D'onofrio led CCOP in scoring with nine points. Britannia Bloom and Jessie Mickelson each scored six points. Kendra Hessel and Emily Pease led the team in rebounds, while Haley Douglas, Courtney Wagner and Scarlett Dante led the team in stealing.

Sunday Dec. 18, the team traveled to Orinda where they met the team from Christ the King. Guard play was extremely important as three of CCOP's dominate post players were unavailable for the game. Guards Jessica Infald and D'Onofrio helped fill the void with their excellent floor leadership. Infald had her best game of the season, said coach Bob Luther. D'Onofrio scored 10 points, while adding three steals and three assists.

Christ the King kept the score close by working the ball inside and hitting 3-point shots. The half time score was CCOP 12, Christ the King 8. During the second half Bloom and Mickelson took over the inside game for CCOP, scoring 13 and eight points respectively. Many of their points were scored with aggressive drives to the basket that resulted in free throw opportunities.

Haley Douglas, Courtney Wagner and Chelsea Luther led the defense. Douglas pulled down 10 rebounds and four steals. Wagner blocked two shots and had two steals while Luther hounded the Christ the King guards into many turnovers with her tight defense. The final score was CCOP 37, Christ the King 27.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.