Gators, TJ pick up wins

By COLE COSGROVE

Associate editor

The Decatur girls basketball team was a 62-33 winner over Spanaway Lake on Tuesday as Jennifer Morrow scored 22 points and Kamrica Ary-Turner added 19.

The Gators were tied for first place in the SPSL with Puyallup heading into last night’s game, when the two undefeated schools faced each other. The game finished after press time but a story and photos will be available in Wednesday’s edition of the Mirror.

In other games Tuesday, injury-plagued Jefferson had just six healthy varsity players on a roster that was bolstered with JV players, but the Raiders found a way to win, 52-45 over Emerald Ridge.

“We were pretty short handed,” Jefferson coach Mike Grady said. “Most people know we’re pretty beat up and Emerald Ridge is pretty good on paper.”

The Raiders used their height advantage to outrebound Emerald Ridge.

Kezia Long scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Kim Brown had 12 rebounds.

“We’re playing pretty much ‘big man ball,’ as we call it, with a little bit of quickness” Grady said. “We still like to run in transition, but we’re more of a half-court team and try to get it inside. The girls are playing well and getting better every game. We’re really happy with their development.”

Chelsea Hunt led the Raiders in scoring with 19 points, although foul trouble limited her minutes early in the second half.

The Raiders are expected to be fully recovered by the time the SPSL season gets started up again after winter break ends Jan. 7.

“Vacation is the best thing for Thomas Jefferson at this time,” Grady said.

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