Mount Vernon Girls Take Care of Business Against Woodson

The Mount Vernon girls basketball team traveled to Woodson High School on a cold, blustery night Tuesday, but the Majors kept the gym nice and toasty with their fiery offense and aggressive defensive play. Sophomore Kelly Loftus had a game-high 20 points for Mount Vernon as they defeated Woodson 60-38.

After Woodson went on a 9-0 run early in the first, Coach Courtney Coffer called a timeout to regroup and focus his team. After that timeout, junior Lafatima Gray scored six-straight points for the Majors, as they retook the lead. The Majors would never surrender their lead for the rest of the game as they dominated the Cavaliers on defense. Going into the half, the Majors led 28-23.

"During halftime I told the girls, offense starts with defense," Coffer said. "The first three minutes of the third quarter is the most critical time of the game."

The Majors scored the first seven points of the third quarter. Loftus hit one of her four 3-pointers to lead the offensive charge.

The girls took coach Coffer's advice and looked virtually unstoppable in the second half.

Elizabeth Owusuwaa capped a third-quarter masterpiece with a beautiful reverse layup which she sunk as she absorbed the contact from the Cavaliers. Owusuwaa finished with seven points and her teammate, sophomore, Tiffany Webster finished with eight.

"Loftus provided a spark on offense for us," Coffer said. "Webster played great on the defensive end as well. "

The Majors full-court pressure troubled the Cavaliers throughout the second half. The Mount Vernon ladies dove on every loose ball, created multiple turnovers and kept the pressure on sharp-shooter Taylor Hayes of Woodson. Mount Vernon dominated almost every statistical category of the game, except for defensive rebounds, which Coffer mentioned after the game.

The Majors (4-0) travel to Washington-Lee High School on Friday to take on the Generals.