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NORWALK Conn. Norwalk Highs girls basketball team believed it was better than its 0-3 start indicated. Over the last four games, the Bears have proven that they indeed are a team to be reckoned with in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Norwalk crushed intracity rival Brien McMahon High, 55-32, on Wednesday for its fourth straight win. Erica Cohens scored 16 points while Emma Oyomba added 12 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Bears (4-3 overall, 2-3 league). Yasmine Walker and Natalie Leslie scored seven apiece for McMahon (2-6 overall, 2-4 league).
Our defense, our offense, everything is better since those first couple of games, Cohens said. Were playing with a lot more focus and determination.
The Bears dominated from the outset, holding McMahon to one field goal in the first quarter en route to a 16-4 lead. McMahon went on an 8-2 run to get within 29-16 at halftime, but the Bears put it away by scoring the first 20 points of the third quarter. McMahon was hurt by cold shooting in the first half when it connected on just four field goals in 17 attempts.
Its tough when you fall behind like that, McMahon coach Mark McElveen said. I was getting frustrated. Were young, and this is going to be a learning season for us.
McMahon had a hard time with Norwalks size and strength underneath. Oyomba, who also had four blocks, and Alexis Noonan dominated the paint. Guards Katie Schmidt and Zayna Fulton added eight points each.
We thought our size and strength was going to be the difference against them, Cohens said. We thought we could hurt them inside.
Now that Norwalk has found itself after a slow start, Cohens said the team is ready for more. We just have to stay focused and keep working hard, she said. We think we can go a long way.
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