Falcons find identity amid big night from Hall

Firelands has been looking for an identity in the early part of the season. It may have found it.

The host Falcons stymied Brookside’s offense and scored 12 straight points to break things open in the first half en route to a 51-22 Patriot Athletic Conference win December 17.

“It was a good night for us,” Firelands coach Dave Kudela said. “We’ve been sort of spotty here and there in the first four games … we really hadn’t created an identity for ourselves this year.

“We mixed it up with some zone and some Girls basketball man … some of

that defense lead to some easy run-out layups and good looks at the basket.

With both teams playing a 2-3 zone, neither offense was able to generate much momentum with Firelands (3-2, 2-2) holding a slim 9-8 lead after a Haley Elias rebound and putback.

It proved to be the last basket for the Cardinals (1-5, 1-3) for quite a while.

The Falcons closed out the first quarter with a 4-0 run and continued it by scoring the first eight points in the second quarter. While the offense was gaining steam with 6-foot-1 junior post player Keely Hall scoring six of her 11 first-half points during the run, the Falcons defense also ratcheted up the intensity.

Firelands forced five turnovers during the run and caused the Cardinals to miss six straight shots to take a 21-8 lead midway through the second quarter.

The scoring drought by Brookside was snapped with Hannah Sours (five points in the first half) scoring on a back-door layup. Those were the only points the Cardinals scored to help Firelands to a 25-10 lead at the half.

The confidence Firelands had in its offense in the first half picked up in the second half with Taylor Young draining a three. It was followed by a Brandi Holowecy baseline jumper and a Hall layup to give them a 32-14 lead.

Hall was outstanding from her post position. She scored a game-high 14 points and snagged 10 rebounds for the double-double. Her play drew praise from Kudela.

“She’s probably the most dominant post player in our league,” Kudela said. “Every team we’ve played so far has come up with some scheme to either just double-down or sag off and take away. … Keely works awful hard her- self getting offensive rebounds. She’s been steady (for us).”

For Hall, it was just another day at the office.

“I try my hardest to get every rebound and box out to get the rebounds to give it to my team,” Hall said. “It’s a really big part of my game. (On defense), we talked more and were more active. Last year, we used defense (to win) and we’re looking to have it back. This was a good start.”

Along with the defense, Firelands had a balanced scoring attack. Along with Hall, Victoria Grasso had 11 points. AlexandriaWillis and Dalaney Rogala came off the bench to score seven and six respectively.

Brookside was led by Miranda Verlato, who had eight points, while Hannah Sours added seven.

But the difference came down to one thing — Hall.

“We always talk about attacking,” Brookside coach Tom Moyer said. “We just didn’t attack. We looked like a team that lack confidence. A large part is when we did drive, is Keely Hall was there waiting for us.

“Our defense really dictated our confidence. Hall getting offensive rebound after offensive rebound really just started to wear on our confidence.”

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