Lady Bruins face quickness again

TUNNEL HILL, Ga. -- By now, this is old hat for the Northwest Whitfield Lady Bruins.

When Margaret Stockburger's team lines up for today's 4 p.m. GHSA Class AAAA basketball semifinal game at the Gwinnett Center Arena against Dutchtown, the opposing uniforms might as well say Madison County or Mays. Like the Lady Bruins' two past victims, Dutchtown is a guard-led team that likes to run and has little size inside.

Though quick teams have given Northwest fits in the past, recent experience says this team has adapted.

"They are very guard-oriented and they run most things around their backcourt," Stockburger said. "They run a lot of motion and they like to get out on the break. Fortunately, we've seen a lot of teams like this lately, so I think we'll be OK against them."

Stockburger, though, is quick to point out that, while there is speed, Dutchtown guard Brittney Strickland has another gear. The 5-foot-5 senior is the key both offensively and defensively for the 27-2 Lady Bulldogs.

"She makes them go," Stockbuger said. "She's quicker than anyone we've seen. She has a twin (Alyssa) who's also very good, and they have a 6-1 girl inside (Abria Trice), and they're capable of doing some things in there, but most everything runs through (Brittney) Strickland."

Stockburger feels confident her four-guard rotation -- Baleigh Coley, Emily Trew, Jordi Cook and Kayla Piorkowski -- will be up to the challenge. She also knows the Lady Bruins, as usual, will have a decided advantage inside with 6-5 Quaniesha McCurty and 6-3 Christy Robinson. Getting those two to start the way they finished in Friday's 61-42 quarterfinal win over Madison County will be a key.

"It makes a big difference when they assert themselves," Stockburger said. "It really makes it difficult for teams when we get the inside game going with the outside game. Our guards have been hitting their shots, so there are chances inside for us to do some damage."

Robinson, following the easier-than-expected Madison win, said a quick start today is essential.

"I don't know why we didn't come out the way we should have against Madison County, but we can't let it happen again," said Robinson, who paced Northwest with 16 points and seven rebounds in that game. "We have to put together four quarters to keep playing."