Spartans struggle, fall to visiting Panthers

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Inconsistent play results in a 52-43 loss to Seattle Prep.

“We are getting better, but it’s a slow process. We still have a ways to go.”

The words of Spartan basketball coach Penny Gienger tells of the difficult road, even at home, for the Bainbridge girls thus far this season.

Friday night they fell in the final minutes of their first Mountain Division Metro League game against visiting Seattle Prep by a score of 52-43.

The team is still looking to get all cylinders firing in unison. While they kept it close into the half, they allowed Prep to burst ahead behind sophomore guard Jasmine Williams who finished with a career-high 21 points, 15 coming in the final period.

Allie Picha, the Spartans’ strongest asset in the early going this season, pressed to make the difference but too often found herself swarmed with defenders and unable to pick up an open option.

Is she taking too much on herself?

“Yes, other teams are not going to let her beat them,” Gienger said. “So they will put their best defender (on her), or double team her.”

Other performances, while not enough on this day, offered a glimmer for the future. Shining were point guard Caitlyn Salo, closing with her best performance of the year, and center Angela Keller, who finished with 14 points – her best effort of the season.

Salo came on strong late, finishing with 11 points and making key plays to keep Bainbridge within striking distance.

Salo’s drive down the middle, punctuated with a lay-in at 1:11, brought the Spartans to within six of the Panthers, 47-41. But even with Seattle Prep missing the free throws that ensued, Bainbridge could not convert the opportunities down the stretch.

Bainbridge will host Eastside Catholic tonight. They then ferry to Lakeside on Friday for their final game before the holiday break.

“It is nice to have it at home this early in the season,” Gienger said. “We are just trying to get better every day and every game.”