Eli Ruiz | Democrat Monticello’s Quasia Walker (2) lofts a short jumper between Warwicks’ MicKayla Galak (4) and Megan Shannon (24) during Wednesday’s non-league game at Monticello. Warwick won 62-37.

Monticello girls worn down by Warwick

Story by Eli Ruiz
MONTICELLO — January 24, 2014 — A young Monticello squad led the entire first half against a bigger, more experienced Warwick team, going up by as much as nine, in a non-league girl’s basketball game Wednesday night at “The Pit.”
But a dearth of second half baskets from the Monties, coupled with a seemingly unsolvable Wildcat press, culminated in a blowout 62-37 Warwick win.
“They out-schooled us,” said Monticello coach Karen Atack after the contest. “Plain and simple, we just got schooled.”
Monticello (6-4) jumped out quickly behind Yami Reyes and Shandell Jones, taking an early 6-2 first-quarter lead in a sloppily-played first frame for both teams.
The Monties looked destined for a good result against the Class AA school after a deep Sanders’ three to open the second quarter was followed by a wild basket from Panther guard Lena Episalle giving the home team a 19-10 edge.
“It’s been that kind of season,” said Atack. “We’ve been down by 10 [and] come back. We’ve been up by 13 and lost the game by twenty. That tells you something.”
A three-pointer from Wildcat forward Mickayla Galak, and a quick steal and basket by Emma Brown ignited the sluggish Lady Wildcats, who after a Brown jumper just before the first-half buzzer went into the break down just two, 25-23.
“I just told my girls what they were doing wrong in the first half and that it needed to be fixed,” offered Warwick coach Jim O’Brien. “We needed to execute our press a whole lot better, create more turnovers and turn those into points.
“I think we did a much better job of that there in the second half."
Apparently so. Monticello opened the third quarter ice cold, while Warwick picked up with the identical sequence they had just before half: a three from Liz Kisty followed by a steal – one of 12 second half steals for Warwick – and basket, this time from Jackie Layng, giving the Wildcats their first lead of the game, 27-25.
Warwick (7-4) continued to apply defensive pressure and would go on to outscore the Monties 35-12 in the second half, cruising to victory.
“The press took a lot out of us,” explained Atack. “No excuses. They were just the better team.”