Holmes snags 24 rebounds as Notre Dame overpower Rogers
Holmes snags 24 rebounds for Notre Dame
2/8/2011
Notre Dame's Demy Whitaker dribbles around Rogers' Cha'Ron Sweeney during the second half.
Holmes appeared to snatch every basketball that bounced off the backboard or rim.
By the time Notre Dame had locked up a decisive 48-22 victory over Rogers, the Eagles' starting center had pulled down a career-best 24 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, and scored a game-high 13 points. [PHOTO GALLERY]
Her dominant play near the basket helped the Eagles improve to 8-1 in the City League and 14-3 overall.
"She's the one legitimate big kid that we have and tonight she had a special night rebounding the basketball," Notre Dame coach Travis Galloway said.
Holmes, whose previous single-game best was 22 rebounds against Bowsher set last season, is averaging 10.1 rebounds per game.
"We practice boxing out in practice and if we don't box out, we have to run," Holmes said, "and I don't like running."
The Eagles' relentless rebounder helped Notre Dame quickly run away from Rogers (14-4, 8-2 CL) in the opening quarter.
The Eagles went on a 13-0 run during the opening period and closed out the quarter with a 15-7 lead. Holmes scored seven points during the first eight minutes of play.
The Eagles never looked back en route to securing the No. 2 seed for the City League final four set for Feb. 16. CL top seed Start will face No. 4 seed Central Catholic while Notre Dame will face No. 3 seed Rogers for the second time in nine days.
"Our No. 1 goal coming in was to take their transition away and not let them get out and run because they're as good as anybody in transition," Galloway said.
Notre Dame freshman Jayda Worthy helped the Eagles' cause by coming off the bench and scoring eight of her 10 points in the second quarter.
Worthy's contribution led to the Eagles outscoring the Rams 14-6 during the second period and led to a comfortable 29-13 halftime advantage.
"We had great contributions from Jayda offensively," Galloway said. "As a freshman, she's got a demeanor of a senior. She gets in games and you can't tell if she's happy or sad. She maintains the same facial expression."
Rogers, which doesn't have a senior on its roster, actually outscored Notre Dame in the third quarter 6-5. The Rams also committed fewer turnovers for the game. They were guilty of 11 compared to 18 for the Eagles.
Yet, the Eagles had little trouble taking care of the Rams.
"I think Notre Dame is a good team and you have to give them credit," Rogers coach Lamar Smith said.
Cha'Ron Sweeney paced the Rams with eight points and Sasha Dailey added seven.
Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com or 419-724-6302.