STORY JAEDYN ARMBRUSTER | PHOTOGRAPHY CARA RAIFORD

East freshman girls basketball team jumped on an early lead to gain a 57-22 Greater Miami Conference (GMC) victory over Fairfield last week at East freshman campus. 

After losing a close game to Mount Notre Dame on Dec. 31, 2021, 50-51, the East girls rebounded with a 35-point win. After East guard number 21 scored the first lay-up, East never trailed as things kept going up. Number 21, East freshman Faith Chau, led all scorers with 20 points. Chau says everyone was able to shine during the game.

“I think that game went well,” Chau said. “The team played well and our teamwork was great that day.”

East starter, freshman Kaya Lamb, who scored 10 points in the victory says she is proud of the game she and her teammates played.

“We played as a team and let everyone handle the ball,” Lamb told Spark. “I think we played a good all-around game.”

Just in the first two minutes of the game, East had stolen the ball three times. They played very aggressively right out of the gate. First-year East coach Tristin Philpot says the team has a lot of fast and energetic players.

“We always start the games off pretty strong,” Philpot says, whose squad improved to 18-4. “Our press is pretty good;  teams aren’t used to it; teams aren’t ready for it.”

Following the game in which the press forced more than 20 turnovers, Fairfield coach Pennekamp, says it wasn’t just the pressure. She said there is a lot the Fairfield team needs to work on and will be working on next practice.

“A lot of turnovers, and just, lack of effort and bad passes resulted in the loss that we had,” said Pennekamp. “It’s a determination factor, it’s an effort factor.”

East guard and freshman Macie Manzardo scored  nine points in the game and freshman Isabella Dixon had 17 points. Fairfield had no players in double figures. Philpot said players that usually don’t score much, got to play against Fairfield.

“We played as a team today,” Philpot said. “Everyone was sharing the ball.”

Huddling before every game during the season, the East girls have an undeniable bond. Chau says the program and the team are important, but for her, having fun is the top priority.

“We have won together, lost together, strived together and struggled together, but most importantly we’ve supported each other,” Chau said about the East basketball family. “We all care for eachother.”