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McMahon rules across the board

Rebounding effort key as Monarch outlasts Eaglecrest

John Rosa, Special to the News

Published December 3, 2005 at midnight

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LOUISVILLE - Emily McMahon knows her role on the Monarch girls basketball team, and she's more than happy to fill it.

McMahon, a 6-foot junior, scored a team-best eight points Friday night to lead the Coyotes to a 42-40 victory against ninth-ranked Eaglecrest.

More importantly for McMahon and Monarch, though, she pulled down 11 rebounds, including five in the fourth quarter.

"I consider that my role," McMahon said about rebounding. "I'm not always going to be the biggest offensive threat, so I try to focus on rebounding and the defensive end and let the offense come to me."

Free throws proved to be the difference - the Coyotes went 10-for-13 from the line in the fourth while Eaglecrest (0-1) went a dismal 1-for-10.

Monarch (2-0), playing for the second time in as many nights, didn't take its first lead in the game until 1 minute, 56 seconds remained in the fourth quarter.

Two free throws by Emily Wood put her team ahead 39-38. Wood went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final quarter.

The Raptors still had their opportunities in the waning moments but couldn't get back on top. With her team trailing 41-38 with less than a minute to play, Tylene Bryant scored an uncontested layup for Eaglecrest when Monarch was late returning from a timeout.

Sydney Grubich then connected on one of two free throws to give the Coyotes a two-point lead with 20 seconds to play.

The Raptors had an opportunity to even things, but Taija Bennett misfired on two free throws with 15 seconds left, and McMahon grabbed the rebound.

After a timeout, Monarch couldn't get the ball past halfcourt, though, and turned it over on a 10-second violation, giving Eaglecrest one final opportunity with 3 seconds to play.

Natasha Anderson then missed a three-pointer from the top of the key, and after grabbing the offensive rebound, Diamond Little missed a short jumper as time expired.

The Raptors looked to be in control for much of the game as their athleticism and team speed caused major problems for Monarch early. The Coyotes turned over the ball 16 times in the first half but trailed only 19-15 at the intermission.

"I don't think we were in sync in the first half, and (Eaglecrest's) pressure hurt us," Monarch coach Gail Hook said. "I thought in the end we really showed a lot of fight."

The Raptors, who reached the Sweet 16 last season, hope the game Friday will prove to be an aberration. Senior guard Angela Orozco, in particular, would like to put the season opener behind her.

"I think we missed key layups and free throws," said Orozco, a normally reliable free-throw shooter who missed five free throws in the fourth quarter. "I have no idea what happened.

"My shot was just all of a sudden kind of off and flat. In practice, it's been fine, and I usually don't miss free throws."

Eaglecrest ......11 8 12 9 - 40
Monarch ......7 8 13 14 - 42

E - Natasha Anderson 2 1-2 5, Angela Orozco 5 0-5 10, Jackie Hill 5 0-3 10, Taija Bennett 2 1-5 5, Diamond Little 1 0-0 2, Tylene Bryant 2 1-1 6, Brooklyn Fields 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 3-16 40.

M - Aimee Zawacki 2 3-4 7, Sydney Grubich 1 4-7 6, Gabby Contro 2 0-0 4, Emily McMahon 3 2-4 8, Mallory Lynch 1 0-0 2, Stephanie Louden 2 0-1 4, Emily Wood 0 4-4 4, Kelly Waters 2 3-4 7. Totals 13 16-24 42.

Three-point goals - M, Bryant. Fouled out - Fields, Orozco.