Into Focus: Phoenixville contains Reddick late, downs Pottstown

POTTSTOWN >> As the season reaches the stretch run, each game provides a new opportunity to put a team’s improvement on display.

Phoenixville head coach Kevin Bornstad knows that, and his team’s efforts Friday night at Pottstown’s Strom Gymnasium served as proof. The Phantoms held off Pottstown, 42-38, despite a powerful showing from Trojan forward Ebony Reddick.

“It’s a good win for all of us,” Bornstad said. “Our play has been down of late, so it’s good to come here and come away with a win against a strong team like Pottstown.”

Julia Brown scored a team-high 10 points for the Phantoms (3-6 PAC-10, 4-12 overall), including a pair of clutch free throws to seal it late in the fourth quarter. Dakota Graham and Liberty Allain each scored six points apiece.

Reddick scored a game-high 18 points for Pottstown (2-6, 6-11), including eight of her team’s 10 points in the second quarter. Coupled with Miyana Brant (nine points), the two proved to be a combo that gave Phoenixville fits all throughout.

“I tried to stay positive all game, even early on when we couldn’t get it going,” said Reddick. “I tried to stay patient on offense — create some good shots and make plays. As a team, that’s what we’ve been working on — finding good scoring chances and putting points on the board.”

The Phantoms had a gameplan for Reddick, it was just a matter of carrying it out.

“We knew she would get her points,” said Bornstad of Reddick, “that’s given. She’s a phenomenal athlete that can beat you in so many ways. She’s the type of player you can just try and contain. We had to find a way to respond to offensively.”

Reddick was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, where Phoenixville was able to pull away from its hosts.

“Defensively, our girls did a good job against her. We limited her chances and worked to make sure every attempt she took was contested.”

The Trojans had a bolt of energy after emerging from the locker rooms at the start of second half. Trailing 26-19 at the break, Pottstown’s offense exploded for eight unanswered points out of the gates, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Reddick later followed by a basket from Gianna Epps to give the Trojans their first lead since the opening minutes at 30-29.

“We started to get into rhythm in the second half, which was good to see,” said Pottstown head coach Chris Jackson. “We stepped our intensity way up and started to convert shots. That was huge.”

Phoenixville’s Jasmine Hamilton knocked down a 12-footer as the third quarter came to a close to give Phoenixville a 31-30 lead headed into the final frame.

The Phantoms controlled the pace in the final eight minutes, thanks in part to four points from Graham and another three points from Amanda Fields. After putting together a 5-0 run almost halfway through the first four minutes, the Phantoms sealed it at the foul line, knocking down three of five attempts in the quarter.

“It’s frustrating, because this is one we felt like we could have won,” said Jackson. “We didn’t hit enough shots late, which ended up costing us.

“We need to build off this one and keep getting better. It’s a really young team. If we can keep games close and fight until the end, that gives us a lot of confidence.”

As Phoenixville inches closer to No. 2 seeded Pottsgrove (4-4) in the PAC-10 Frontier standings, Bornstad says Reddick shares similar qualities to Pottsgrove standout Diana Randleman.

“They’re both extremely talented players who can beat you in a lot of different ways,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to build off of facing her (Reddick) twice now as we prepare to face Pottsgrove again. We’re hoping this game can serve as a morale builder and give us some momentum moving forward.”

NOTES >> The Phantoms are set to face Pottsgrove on January 26. … The Phantoms were without guard Jess Anthony, sidelined with a right foot injury.