Girls’ basketball: Coatesville starts fast, routs Kennett

Kennett Square >> Jumping out of the starting blocks to a 22-1 lead near the end of the first quarter, Coatesville coasted to a 62-35 victory against host Kennett in the second game of a Ches-Mont girls’ basketball double header at Kennett High School.
The convincing victory boosted the Red Raiders’ record to 2-0, and came less than 24 hours after a hard-earned win against Unionville. Friday, Coatesville trailed Unionville by four points at halftime, and had to struggle in the second half to eke out a 54-48 victory.
Coatesville head coach Tem Mack said, “I think our players were upset that they didn’t start out hot against Unionville. They wanted to come out fast today.”
Red Raider senior forward Brianna White gave Coatesville a quick 4-0 lead when she scored inside, then stole the ball and drove in for another basket. Senior guard Dee Dee Irwin hit a three pointer, then scored inside to make it 9-1.
White said, “We like to come out early, push the ball ahead, and get ahead of the other team. We were a little rocky against Unionville, but our defenses are the key [to our success].”
Following a turnover by Kennett (0-2), Coatesville freshman Amaya Douglas got underneath for an offensive rebound and basket; then the Red Raiders’ Olivia Ellzy stole the ball and drove in to make it 15-1. White hit a three-pointer from the right corner, and soon at was 22-1.
Kennett’s veteran head coach Vince Cattano said, “Irwin and White are very strong players, and Coatesville came out with a lot of speed and intensity. When I looked up at the scoreboard [at 22-1], I thought to myself, ‘We’re going to find out who we are.’ Our players could have rolled over at that point, but they didn’t quit and kept battling.”
Kennett began catching up, thanks to sophomore guard Andrea Prestianne, who by halftime had 11 of the Blue Demons’ 16 points.
“She’s a gamer,” said Cattano. “It will be fun to watch her develop over the next three years. She’s going to be a really good player. Last year, she got to watch how Jess and Miranda [seniors Jess Hussey and Miranda Hill, who combined for 29 ppg last year] handled the stresses of the game.”
Despite Prestianne’s second-quarter scoring, Coatesville held a 32-16 halftime lead, and White had 11 first-half points, finishing with 14. White, a fourth-year starter who has committed to Millersville University for softball, is valued by Mack for her on-court versatility.
“Brianna is a great all-around player that we can use in different [roles],” said Mack of the 6-footer. “She can guard a 1 and play a 5.”
Douglas and Irwin (a second team All-Ches-Mont performer last winter who averaged 12.8 ppg last year) also hit double figures in scoring against Kennett, and led a balanced attack – eight Red Raiders scored at least four points Saturday.
For Kennett, Prestianne finished with a game-high 15 points, junior guard Caroline Hertz tallied 11 points, and Marnie Ridgers chipped in with seven.
The Red Raiders have four returning starters this winter, but Mack pointed out that some of them have had three different head coaches in their four years at Coatesville. Mack is in his second year as head coach of the Red Raiders, and his squad attained a 10-12 record last year.
White said, “It’s been rough switching coaches the last few years, and it’s nice that Tem has stayed with us [for a second year].”
While Coatesville is looking to soar to new heights this winter, Kennett is trying to adjust to the loss of Hussey and Hill.
Cattano said, “This year, we don’t have [Hussey’s and Hill’s] scoring and rebounding, and we’re trying to find our identity. Our kids are stepping into new roles, and it’s tough to start your season against two teams like Coatesville and Henderson. When you play two solid teams at the beginning of the season, you hope it pays off [down the road].”