Conard played Norwich Free Academy Friday in West Hartford, and Emily Knowles’ 25 points were key in securing the comeback win.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Submitted

If they keep playing like they did in the first half of Friday’s game, the “C” might stand for “Cardiac Kids” on the Conard’s girls’ basketball team uniforms.

Trailing 18-8 entering the third quarter, the Red Wolves scratched and clawed their way back for a 42-35 win over No. 8 NFA in the opening round of the C Holiday Classic. Senior Emily Knowles – held to four points in the first half – went for 21 points in the second half on her way to a game-high 25.

Both teams were far from their best in the opening quarter, with cold shooting and turnovers outnumbering points. The lackluster play led to a 7-6 lead for the Wildcats entering the second period when NFA got it together, but Conard’s struggles only got worse.

The visitors used their size advantage inside with Jordyn Bay-Kent, Petra Berry, and Emily Orcutt dominating the boards at both ends of the court. They outscored Conard 11-2 in the second quarter for the 10-point lead at intermission.

“Our mindset needs to be locked in from the start,” said Knowles – a co-captain heading to Smith College in the fall.

“Our shots just were not falling in the first half,” said Red Wolves head coach Laurie Cersosimo.

The second half was the complete opposite for both teams, as Conard executed on all cylinders, and NFA could not get things in gear. It started from the opening possession as the Red Wolves hit for two quick hoops in the opening minute and slapped a full court press and trap defense that turned the tide. The pressure resulted in several turnovers, a 5-second violation, and a few offensive fouls by NFA.

While the defense was forcing the issue, Knowles found her game and her scoring touch, Courtney McPhee took control of the ball handling and Brooklynn Knowles turned into a force on the boards and scrambling for loose balls. The Red Wolves had a great chance to cut it to a two-point deficit when they were taking the ball out from under their own basket. The pass and pick were perfect but the shot did not fall, and NFA scored the next four points to make it 20-14.

Emily Knowles then hit a jumper (20-16), a three-pointer (22-19), a jumper with :08 to go (24-21), and another hoop to make it 26-23 after three. Knowles’ 13 points topped her team’s entire first half output and Conard now had the momentum on its side.

“As our team’s energy changed, we started getting more points in transition,” Knowles said after the game. One of the keys to getting those points was the ball handling and smooth passing of McPhee.

“She was phenomenal,” Cersosimo said of her senior co-captain guard McPhee. “We would have lost without her. She was the leader today that jumpstarted our press.”

In the fourth quarter, McPhee hit a lay-in and after an NFA miss, Knowles nailed a pair of free throws to give the Red Wolves a 27-26 lead with 6:20 to play. Conard kept up the pressure defense and stole the ball from NFA on the ensuing inbound. McPhee would be fouled and missed two free throws but her team grabbed the rebound and Knowles drained a huge basket to make it 29-26.

After an NFA basket McPhee found Knowles for the lay-in and then the other co-captain, Nicole Gorman, hit a big 3 to push the lead to six at 34-28. After a Wildcats basket, Gorman found Knowles cutting to the hoop for the two points, Knowles later hit a pair from the free throw line, before McPhee turned her steal into a basket and it was a seven-point lead for the home team.

“The pressure has to come from all five players on the court,” said Cersosimo of her team’s press.

Knowles and Gorman would each hit single free throws to help close it out at 42-35 for Conard. Knowles scored 13 in the third and eight more in the fourth to lead Conard back.

“That second half,” said Cersosimo. “That is Emily Knowles. She is the most unselfish kid and very humble.” Her younger sister, Brooklynn, was also a factor, especially in the second half. “Brooklyn has been phenomenal in the paint and diving for loose balls,” said her coach.

Saturday, Conard will face unbeaten (5-0) and third ranked Southington in the C Holiday Classic final at 1 p.m. at Conard. NFA will meet Ridgefield in the third-place game at 11 a.m.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.