Troopers wrangle Mustangs in season opener
BY TYSON SMEDSTAD
In his second year as Garrison Girls Head Coach, Matt Chase is working with the same squad as last year, graduating zero seniors. And just like last year, Cedar Perkins has emerged as a leader with juniors Mia Gehring and Karli Klein ready to take the reigns. Chase has laid out his goals for the season and is getting to work.
“(My) goals for this year are to play with high energy from start to finish. I’m not talking just games either, I want my kids to treat every drill, every skills session, and everything else we do in practice like it’s a game,” Chase said. “Prepare and work so hard in practice, so that everything feels more natural come game time.”
And thus far, he has taught his team well.
“Being great teammates, communicating, and giving one hundred percent effort is something I want to see all year as well,” Chase said. “We do these things, there is no reason we aren’t competing for a state tournament berth.”
Garrison opened their 2021-22 season at home on Nov. 30 against the Surrey Mustangs.
With only a few weeks between seasons for many of the players, the girls had to transition from volleyball to basketball quickly.
“The first game we did some nice things offensively, but our lack of communication on the defensive end led to us not rotating properly which ultimately allowed Surrey to get really good looks,” Chase said. “(I) give them credit, they knocked the shots down, but that’s not who we are as a defensive unit.”
In an exciting first quarter, the Troopers were able to spread the scoring around to four different players keeping the Mustangs guessing.
Gehring closes the first quarter with a beautiful breakaway and two-point layup.
And without skipping a beat, she opens the second quarter making her signature three-point shot.
After a quick rumble on the floor, Perkins and comes up with the ball and was fouled. She shoots two free throws and drains both.
