Raiders crush St. Scholastica
Walls, Simpson spark nonconference win
Wauwatosa East's Emily Ferger steals a pass against St. Scholastica at home Dec. 30. Photo By PETER ZUZGA
It may have been the holiday season, but the Wauwatosa East girls weren't too hospitable when they brought out their defensive game and blew away St. Scholastica, 53-32, in a nonconference game at Tosa East on Dec. 30.
Playing perhaps their best game of the season, the Red Raiders dominated the small Illinois school right from the tip-off.
Tosa East coach Rob Hamill has been working his team hard on the defensive end, and it seemed to pay off against the Stingers.
The Red Raiders jumped out to a 30-15 lead at intermission, taking a 13-5 and 17-10 first- and second-quarter advantage.
"We had a much better effort today," Hamill said. "They did start to go back to their bad habits, lying back a little, but overall, we played much better. They picked up what we have been trying to put in the last few days."
Walls shines on court
Guards Cara Walls and Talisha Simpson keyed the Red Raiders' offensive run. Walls led the way with 15 points, including nine in the first-half run.
"Cara Walls is a match-up problem," Hamill said. "She is probably our most fit athlete. She can probably run up and down the court all day long. And that's what we're going to need from her."
Walls, an outstanding club soccer player, is one of the taller point guards (5-foot-9) in the league. When she isn't pushing the ball down the court and setting up a teammate with an excellent pass, she is taking the ball to the hoop.
But without a doubt, her defensive skills stand out the most, as she takes advantage of her length and quickness.
"Defensively, she gets it," Hamill said. "She has a tendency to look for the steal instead of playing it straight up, but I can live with it. I'd rather have that problem than someone laying back on defense."
Lineup straightening out
Simpson, on the other hand, was able to move back to guard with Cassie Osinski back in the lineup in the post.
Simpson, who finished with 14 points, had eight key points in that first-half run, driving to the basket, taking jump shots and putting back offensive rebounds.
"She has been inconsistent," Hamill said, "but to be fair, she has been out of position. We had to rely on her as an inside player, but now we have Cassie Osinski back. Now we can bring her (Simpson) out. We didn't really have that attack before. And good things happen."
When the Red Raiders came out and scored 19 points in the third quarter, Walls and Simpson added three points apiece to put the game away, 49-26.
Emily Ferger also helped out with six points, and Osinski added five for the Red Raiders (2-6).
But, Hamill said, it all came back to defense.
"That's been our mantra," he said. "They've been much more intense in all facets of the game, but especially defensively, especially on the defensive boards.
"It's a step in the right direction. We've got to pick it up from here."
UP NEXT
WHO: West Allis Hale vs. Wauwatosa East
WHAT: girls basketball
WHERE: Wauwatosa East High School
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
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