FCC takes Hawks to school in JuCo

January 18, 2001

FCC takes Hawks to school in JuCo

By BILL STERNER / Staff Correspondent

Frederick Community College women's basketball coach Jack Mehl believes that every game his Cougars play is a learning experience.

So when Mehl reviews Wednesday's 70-50 win over rival Hagerstown Community College at the HCC athletic complex, the teacher should be pleased with his pupils.

FCC (14-4, 7-0 Maryland JuCo) has won 12 in a row and the Cougars are making it look easy. Wednesday was an example of textbook basketball, as the Cougars contolled the tempo of the game, played great defense and forced the normally prolific HCC guards into taking uncomfortable shots at the basket.

On offense, the Cougars ran the floor behind diminutive point guard Dani Thomas, who scored 18 points, but was much more of a force setting up the Cougars' passing lanes and keeping HCC (8-6, 5-3) reeling on their heels.

"They have a good team," HCC coach Marlys Palmer said. "Dani Thomas is a wonderful player - she does so much for them."

With Thomas providing the flash for Frederick, 5-foot-11 forwards Tiffany Wilson and Laura Jobe provided the smash as the Cougars in the paint.

The only lapse for Frederick came at the 15-minute mark in the second half. Down 21, HCC put together a 14-2 run to pull within 48-39 with eight minutes to play.

Emily Middlekauff started the rally with a 10-footer, while Amy Fischer highlighted the effort draining a 3 from the top of the key.

But Frederick's defense came right back to life, and when Thomas converted on a steal by Angie Point, it effectively ended the Hawks run.

"We had a horrible night shooting the ball," said Palmer, whose Hawks shot a frigid 18 percent from the floor. "In all but two games this season, we have had trouble with our offense - it just won't go."

Those offensive woes have created some other problems as well.

"We have not been a mentally tough team," Palmer said. "We work hard and play hard, but when we get frustrated, this team has lapses in their defensive play. It is tough to win when that happens."

Frederick 70, Hagerstown 50

FCC (70)

Whims 1 0-0 2, Thomas 9 0-0 18, Luckett 4 1-2 9, Wilson 4 1-2 9, Parson 3 0-0 7, Bowers 2 1-2 5, Jobe 7 0-0 14, Branson 1 2-2 4, Melline 1 0-0 2. Totals 32 5-8 70.

HCC (50)

Fischer 4 0-0 9, Tucker 3 0-1 6, Fowlkes 2 6-10 10, Russ 2 4-5 8, Whipp 1 0-0 2, Curley 2 1-2 5, Middlekauff 2 3-6 7, Bachtell 1 1-2 3. Totals 17 15-28 50.

Halftime-Frederick 38, Hagerstown 23. Three-point goals-Frederick 1 (Parson), Hagerstown 1 (Fischer).

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