The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
SLOW START PUTS WARRIORS IN HOLE
Young Fairview team falters in season opener against Parma
A rough start wasn’t the way Fairview was hoping to open the season.
Visiting Parma opened the game by scoring the first 14 points — which included four 3-pointers — and kept the Warriors at arm’s length for a 37-23
nonconference win Nov. 25.
“Our second half was much better (and) we kind of calmed down,” Fairview coach Andrea Petta said. “They also came out shooting lights out in the first quarter ... we didn’t close that gap.”
“But we played even with them or a little bit better even in the second half. We definitely settled down.”
Shannon Chamberlin started things off for Parma (1-0) with a 3. Elise Balcer hit back-to-back 3’s, while Chamberlin (gamehigh 10 points) drilled her second 3 of the quarter to make it 12-0. Lindsay Humbel capped off the run with a driving layup to make it 14-0.
Though the Warriors had ample opportunities to get on the board, Parma’s 2-3 active defense forced hurried shots that went awry. Freshman Julia Costas made a 3 to get the Warriors
on the board. By the time the quarter ended, Parma tacked on a pair of baskets to hold an 18-3 lead. For the quarter, Parma was 7 of 13 from the field and 4 of 5 from behind the arc.
An even second quarter saw Parma take a 25-10 lead into halftime.
“(We) knocked down shots,” Parma Coach Chuck Caldwell said. “I thought we communicated on the defensive end. We moved the ball and we really shot the ball (well). I think we think we shot 100 percent from the 3-point line and when you do that you are going to be successful.”
The second half started better for Fairview as it went on a 6-2 run to close the deficit down to 27-16. With Parma playing manto-man defense, the Warriors found creases in the defense and converted their chances. Gabby Biggs started things off with a layup, while Chloe Logterman had back-to-back-baskets on the block.
But, Parma responded and pushed its lead back to 33-18 near the end of the third quarter. Fairview continued to battle and pound the glass (47-26 rebounding advantage), but struggled a bit offensively with turnovers as Parma went back to its 2-3 zone defense.
“We don’t necessarily want to play the ball, but we want to play passing lanes,” Caldwell said. “It’s communication and good rotation. I thought we struggled a little bit in boxing out and rebound, but I thought our rotations were good and got in the passing lanes.”
The Warriors turned the ball over eight times in the fourth quarter, but also forced six turnovers in the fourth quarter. However, they didn’t get any closer.
Starting a freshman and a junior at the guard position, time and experience will help Fairview to prevent slow starts.
“We’re still getting used to playing with each other,” Petta said. “Once they start believing — first in themselves — and then encouraging their teammates they’ll come together quicker.
“They will have to start settling themselves down. It can’t always come from the bench and they’ll get there.”