FHHS Girls Basketball Prevails Over Springfield Gardens, 57-42

After getting off to a sluggish start, the Rangers of Forest Hills High School (11-1) got their act together to defend Springfield Gardens High School (0-13), 57-42 Thursday night.

The Rangers came into the game against the Golden Eagles knowing Springfield Gardens was hungry for their first victory of the season. From the start of the game, the Eagles seemed determined, as they started strong in the early going, even with a thin bench, as seven players suited up for action.

Hero: After Imani Frances, who finished with 18 points, fouled out early in the fourth quarter, it was freshmen Jodi Ann Humphrey, and Fatoumata Coulibaly who picked up where she left off, collaborating to stop any potential run that the Eagles could potentially have made. Humphrey finished with eight points, while Coulibaly finished with 16.  Any comeback attempt on the part of the Eagles was stifled by turnovers they created themselves.

Turning Point: The Golden Eagles, came out of the break running, going on a 6-0 run, and putting the clamps down on the Rangers with stellar defense, limiting them to just seven points in the third quarter to keep the game alive at 36-31 after three. Forest Hills exploded out of the gate in the fourth quarter, ending any chance of an Eagles comeback.

 Bottom Line: Going into fourth quarter with a very slim margin of just five points, the Lady Rangers showed no fear, playing their type of game that they have all season long.

Coulibaly, who had one of her strongest starts of the season, nailed a three with three minutes left in the game to put her team up 50-36, and on their way to their eleventh win of the season.

Golden Eagles’ Goddard finished the game with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assist, to lead the way for the Eagles in a losing effort.

Quotable: “It’s always good to have a win,” head coach Michelle Davis said. “I’m not happy about how we won. It was real bad in the second half, even the first quarter was bad. Second quarter we turned it up, then we got lazy again.”

Who’s Next? The Rangers go on the road to play Martin Van Buren Monday, Jan. 31. at 4:30 p.m.

Box Score: