Elsik Rams Way To Austin
In the season of surprises, how else was it supposed to end as Elsik defeats North Shore 48-38. When you look it on paper, Elsik had more losses than any of the four teams that made it to regionals, in fact more than the other three combined so you would assume they wouldn’t be the Region 3 champion. My favorite saying is it’s not what you do, it’s who you do it against and each loss was to a Top 10 ranked team, in fact they were the only team to beat Cy Falls in the regular season. I guess I should have known this team had destiny written all over it after avenging a 20 point Bellaire comeback in the fourth quarter of last season’s Elite 8 by opening the season with a 34 point win over those same Cardinals.
This game started off sluggish and slow, most of that due to these two teams having tremendous wins the night before in what has got to be one of the best Final Fours I’ve seen in the area. The first quarter ended 10-9 North Shore but only two players from each team scored, Katira Young and Mo Bedford for the Mustangs, Crystal Porter and Lindsey Cypher for the Rams. Elsik made their move in the second quarter outscoring the Mustangs 16-6 to go into halftime up 25-16, as Porter was simply unstoppable scoring 12 of those 25. Young was equally effective scoring as she and Bedford combined for 14 points.
North Shore made a move in the third quarter as Courtney Williams started to get hot. Jasmine Ocanas hit her third three for the Rams, but a Williams bucket and a TJ Jefferson three tied the game at 30, only to see Porter hit her only bucket at the buzzer to give Elsik the lead going in the final quarter. I said I would give Robertson from Cy Falls the sixth man award, well Porter would definitely receive my most improved player as her stock continues to rise.
The fourth opened with Akunna Elonu scoring on an assist from Raven Hill, then a Porter bucket and the lead was back at 6. A Keva Castillo three gave Shore some hope but their shots just wouldn’t drop tonight. A steal and layup by Hill sealed the victory as the Rams outscored the Mustangs 16-8 in the final period.
This was an emotional victory in more ways than one and sometimes people forget what this really about. I’ve known Coach Campbell and Coach Johnson what seems like forever and they have always been supportive and helpful. Both of their dads always complimented me about my baby and took their valuable time to let me know that. Mr. Campbell and I still talk when we see each other, Coach Johnson lost her dad not too long ago, however I know he was there and he’s smiling from heaven. Sharpshooter Cypher told me after the game “no one believed in us” and I told her “they do now”. I’ll have a story up on Ozen’s dramatic win over Huntsville tomorrow. Congratulations on some outstanding play from all of the teams this weekend, the pleasure has truly been mine.
