By By Matthew Nascone
The Northview Lady Chiefs have made history this season.
Never in the 12 years since Northview was opened has a Lady Chiefs team gone 4-0 and the 2007-08 Lady Chiefs accomplished that task Nov. 15 with a commanding 45-18 victory over East Hill in Bratt.
"So far we have played as a team and we have won all of our games," NHS head coach Lorenzo Jones said. "That is all you can ask of your team. We have played well as a unit. Defense has been our key asset in the winning streak. We have been pressing and rebounding well."
Junior Gabe Wesley led the scoring with 13 points and juniors Timeka Marshall and Brittney Thompson each added 10 points. Thompson added nine rebounds and one steal. Junior Melissa Garrett had seven rebounds. Senior Shelbi Wiggins added six rebounds and junior Yasmine Odom had five rebounds.
The Lady Chiefs took command early in the game and outscored East Hill 34-6 in the first half. Jones pulled her starters and let the younger girls play the second half and East Hill won that half, 12-11.
"We let everyone play in the second half because I know how it feels to have the score run up on me and I had no intention of doing that," Jones said.
Lady Chiefs 41 Central 37
After losing the first half 24-18, the Lady Chiefs stormed back with pressure defense and clutch shooting in the second half for a 41-37 come-from-behind victory over Central Nov. 13.
"The game was played hard on both sides of the ball," Jones said. "I felt our girls played well at times and the key to our success was conditioning. We were able to wear down our opponent with that never say die attitude in the fourth quarter."
That fourth quarter saw Northview erase a 35-29 deficit by outscoring Central 12-2 in the quarter.
"When you play aggressive, good things will happen," Jones said.
Melissa Garrett led the scoring for NHS with 10 points. She added nine rebounds and was 4-for-6 from the free throw line.
Gabe Wesley contributed eight points, eight rebounds and six steals. Brittney Thompson added three points and 11 rebounds. Timeka Marshall had nine points and two rebounds. Junior Angela Rodriguez added eight points as well.
Lady Chiefs 39 Central 31
NHS took down Central in the championship game of the Central Tip off Classic Nov. 9 39-31.
"We were aggressive and we held them from scoring a lot," Jones said. "We kept pressing them and our defense kept us above the water. Gabe and Melissa played well and we had good guard play from Angela and Timeka."
The Lady Chiefs were in command of the game the whole way, leading 19-9 at halftime and 26-18 after three quarters.
Gabe Wesley led the Lady Chiefs with 12 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Melissa Garrett added 10 points and nine rebounds. Angela Rodriguez had six points and five rebounds and Timeka Marshall had six points, three rebounds and two steals. Brittney Thompson contributed one point, 10 rebounds and three steals.
Lady Chiefs 50 Jay 48
The Lady Chiefs won their first game of the season 50-48 in overtime in the opening round of the Tip off Classic over Jay.
"We had the lead late in the game and Timeka and Brittney both fouled out," Jones said. "Our reserves played well and the key to the overtime period was rebounding and our pressing defense."
Gabe Wesley had 14 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Brittney Thompson added 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Melissa Garrett had nine points and 13 rebounds. Angela Rodriguez contributed eight points and five rebounds. Timeka Marshall had six points, three rebounds and two steals and Yasmine Odom had two points and six rebounds.
The Lady Chiefs faced Flomaton Tuesday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. The team's next game is Tuesday on the road against W.S. Neal in East Brewton.