Colts run and gun, but can’t catch the Phoenix
Kinnelon; (12-16-06) If you would have told any girls basketball in the state that they would score 19 point in the 4th quarter and 57 for the game, they would surely think that they would walk away with a victory. The Lady Colts played their hearts out in the season opener against a strong, talented and quick University Squad from Newark. The only losing team in the state to score more than the colts was Freehold 
Borough, a top Central Jersey team.
Despite a run and gun fourth quarter where the Colts hit six field goals and make 7 out of 10 free throws, the Phoenix answered all game long, more so in the explosive fourth quarter. University lit up the score board in the final frame, scoring 26 of their total 73.
The Newark school held a definite height advantage and used it to a full advantage early by establishing their presence in the lane and creating a huge rebound differential. But despite the depth and quickness of University, the Colts continued to fight and continuously cut at the early lead.
The Phoenix lead 19-12 at the end of the 1st. Laurin Mincy poured in 8 of her 16 points in the first frame. Kinnelon Senior Stephanie Prall lead the Colts with 8 points in the first half as Kinnelon went into the locker room down by 11. Kinnelon could not manage to get the lead cut fewer than 7 in the first half. Every time the Colts were able to get a run going, University would have an immediate answer. If it wasn’t a quick drive for a lay up, a Phoenix forward would put back a rebound for two.
Kinnelon managed to scratch away at the lead in the third, cutting the deficit to 4 late in the 3rd. The Colts went from a Man Defense, which had trouble slowing down the potent Phoenix offense, to a zone that definitely held the Newark school in check. Just when the Colt cut the lead down to four, University answered. The Phoenix scored a quick 5 points during the last two minutes of the quarter, and had set the pace for the run and gun final frame.
Despite a valiant 10 point effort by Prall, Kinnelon could not close the gap and University continued to make baskets, grab rebounds and maintain a comfortable scoring edge over the home Colts. University had six players contribute to their 26 point fourth q
uarter on their way to winning the opener for both schools. The frustration was evident on the faces of the Colts after the game, but deep down, I am sure they know what they capable of. They proved that they can score at will and match blows with a great University team. They know that they will improve as the season moves on and The next game is another opportunity to play together.
The Colts travel to the new Newark-Science Gymnasium on Tuesday looking to even their record at 1-1. Science opened up on their home court with a 54-47 victory over Whippany Park in other Colonial Hills Conference action. Mountain Lakes, the preseason favorite and returning Morris County Champions dominated Newark-Arts 77-29 and Boonton topped Verona 50-42.
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