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Girls Basketball: Basics Give Countryside District Win

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 20, 2009

CLEARWATER - Countryside's game plan to beat Class 6A-District 7 rival Mitchell was simple, methodical and at times downright ugly. Play solid defense, get to the basket and if fouled, hit the free throws.

Well, the host Cougars got the first two down, which was enough for a 51-30 win over Mitchell Tuesday.

"We don't shoot very well," Countryside coach Andrew Lieb said. "So we try to go to the basket."

It was that single-minded philosophy that did Mitchell in, specifically in the fourth quarter. Countryside pounded the ball inside and was fouled virtually each time late in the game. In fact, the Cougars used an 11-5 run in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Of the 11 points in the run, the only basket scored by Countryside was a steal and a layup by Jasmine Walker for a 45-23 lead with 2:02 left.

Even when Countryside (9-6) kept Mitchell (11-7) in the game by struggling at the free throw line, at one point in the fourth hitting just 7-of-11, the Mustangs couldn't take advantage due to Countryside's defense.

"I think we had a taste of our own medicine," Mitchell coach Jacob Tavo said.

The lone field goal Mitchell sank in the final four minutes was a 3-point bucket by Latrel Kirkland.

Added Countryside power forward Coty Barriault: "We came ready to play. Defensively get after it. Our defense dictated the whole game."

"The girls played unbelievably tonight," Lieb said. "That was a good team we beat tonight.

"We're not a good shooting team so to win we have to get to the basket. And tonight, I think we played quicker."

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