CJ (11-5) snapped a three-year losing streak to ’Creek (10-4) in front of about 1,000 spectators at Ed Zink Fieldhouse.
Most of the Beavers’ defensive attention was on CJ’s 6-1 Samarie Walker, one of the nation’s top inside players.
Walker had to work for her 16 points and 12 rebounds getting double teamed most of the game. When she did miss, Long was there for the offensive board and finished with four stickbacks. When Walker was covered, the CJ guards gave Long good entry passes to the low post and she converted.
“I thought we did a good job defending Samarie,” said ’Creek coach Ed Zink. “But we didn’t have an answer for Raytea. We’ve scouted CJ four times this year and that’s the best she’s ever played.”
Long is averaging 6.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. “I just tried to be strong around the basket,” she said. “We knew they’d double team Samarie. So I had to be in position for the shot or the rebound.”
CJ unofficially out-rebounded ’Creek, 34-13. Long and Walker took away the inside for the Beavers, whose tallest player is 5-foot-9.
CJ led 36-32 going into the fourth quarter and pulled away on a 13-1 run.
The win was big personally for first-year CJ coach Duane Williams. A Beavercreek resident, his children played hoops at ’Creek. He also coached most of the girls on the Beavercreek roster in AAU ball.
“It’s satisfying,” he said. “My girls played for Ed and I know how big the rivalry is. This was big for our seniors because they’d never beat ’Creek.
“It was great to see Raytea have a game like this. She’s shown flashes of how good she can be and picked a good night put it together.”
About the Author