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Carroll girls hold off CJ, remain undefeated

In clash of area’s top-rated D-II girls teams, Patriots do just enough.

Carroll guard Ciara Poppa and Chaminade Julienne guard Emily Michael battle for a loose ball in the first half at Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

E.L. Hubbard Carroll guard Ciara Poppa and Chaminade Julienne guard Emily Michael battle for a loose ball in the first half at Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

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By Dave Long, Contributing Writer Updated 1:03 AM Sunday, January 8, 2012

RIVERSIDE — A miserable day at the free-throw line made Carroll’s 59-51 over Chaminade Julienne much closer than it should have been Saturday.

The Patriots connected on 22 of 37 attempts from the line, 18 of 30 in the fourth quarter.

“If we make our free throws in the fourth quarter, we win by 15 or 20,” Carroll coach Rob Berry said. “Thankfully our defense was good enough not to let CJ take advantage of the openings we gave them.”

A near full house crowded Carroll’s gym to watch the No. 1 and 2 teams in the Dayton Daily News Division II ratings. Carroll (No. 1) goes to 11-0 and is alone in first place in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League North Division at 5-0.

CJ (No. 2) is 8-2 and 3-1 in the GGCL. The schedule gets no easier for the Eagles as they host  8-1 Fairborn (No. 2 in the DDN D-I ratings) Monday and 8-2 Alter (No. 4 in D-II ratings) Wednesday.

Lindsey Blanford had only four points, but the 6-foot junior played a key defensive role, holding CJ center Raytea Long to four offensive touches in the second, third and fourth quarters.

Long, headed to Vanderbilt, came into the game averaging 14.5 points and 9.7 rebounds.

“That’s the most physical defense I’ve every played,” said Blanford.

“I tried not to let Raytea get in position to catch the ball. It was tough, but I felt like I did a good job. I think we all did a good job shutting them down most of the game.”

Carroll had a 39-30 halftime lead, going on an 8-0 run in the last 1:30 of the second quarter. CJ, playing tough defense, the equal of Carroll, stayed within six points in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Carroll went with what Berry called a “five out” offense where ball-handling to kill the clock and free throws take priority.

Carroll killed the clock and got to the line, but missed enough to allow CJ to stay close.

Kelley Austria, an 84.1 free-throw shooter, was automatic at the line, going 13-for-13 in the last 4:24 to snuff out any CJ momentum. She had 23 followed by Madison Schoeder with 10. Brittaney Jefferson led CJ with 11.

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