Ada-Borup coach Dave Smart must have said the right mix of words at halftime of Tuesday’s basketball game, as a night and day difference between the first and second halves was obvious.
The Cougars used a 19-5 run out of halftime against Norman County West to insure what ended up being a 67-32 win in Ada. Ada-Borup allowed Norman County West to score only 11 points in the second half.
Norman County West (3-6) started the game by forcing Ada-Borup into turnovers, as it robbed ball handlers blind who attempted to attack the basket and it kept within striking distance at the half, trailing by 15 points. Ada-Borup (7-1) robbed itself of many scoring opportunities too, as it performed without any determination or intensity its coach expects from it every game.
“We were playing like we wanted the game to get over with just as it was starting,” Smart said. “We came out and played a lot better in the second half, but that’s only after the girls got chewed out. They should be ready to go right away.”
Cougars senior guard Megan Kolness responded well to Smart’s words, as she had a game high 24 points. And Ada-Borup’s Monica Vega played well defensively, as she harassed the Panthers’ best ball handler throughout the whole game, finishing with 6 steals which led to many of Kolness’ points.
Norman County West was led by junior forward Brooke Brommenschenkel who managed 9 points, but the Panthers would limit itself by committing the same mistakes Ada-Borup did in the first half. Norman County West found itself in a turnover dilemma, as the Cougars forced 20 second half turnovers to aid in the 19-5 run it experienced after halftime.
“It was an **** win for us,” Smart said. “But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: A win is a win. No matter how **** it is.”