Prairie girls try to overcome ‘obstacle’

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There’s been a common thread to the Prairie girls basketball team’s performance recently and Falcons coach Brett Johnson is taking significant measures to correct the problem.

In the first half of the high school basketball season, Johnson settled into a seven-player rotation. The short rotation has led to problems with the Falcons’ ability to close out games. Because of that, Johnson has resorted to more physically-challenging practices for his players.

“We’ve pulled out the obstacle courses lately,’’ Johnson said. “We’re using some Marine-style obstacle courses at practice.’’

Johnson said he used the conditioning tactics last year, his first with at Prairie, but held off this season because he didn’t want to wear his players out too early in the season. However, as the Falcons have posted a 9-5 record thus far, the coach said his players initiated the idea to step up the conditioning regimen during practices.

“I didn’t want to wear out their legs before the end of the season but they came to me and said ‘let’s do it,’ ’’ Johnson said. “I’m hoping by the end of the regular season we will be ready.’’

The conditioning dynamic that Johnson spoke of was apparent during Prairie’s two wins over Columbia River and Kelso last week. The Falcons earned the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League wins by establishing early leads and then holding on for close victories.

In the win at Columbia River on Jan. 13, Prairie led 35-11 at halftime, but was outscored 30-17 in the second half to win 52-41. Against Kelso, the Falcons led 20-13 after the first quarter but then were tied at halftime. Prairie then jumped out to another lead in the third quarter, before having to hold on for a nail-biting 54-49 win.



“Until we get into tip-top shape, it’s hard to go hard with just seven people for four quarters,’’ Johnson said. “Against Kelso, we got out to a lead and then by the end of the second quarter we got tired. We got our rest at halftime and then we got out to another big lead and had to just hold on until the end.’’

Cherita Daugherty continues to lead the Falcons. In the win at Columbia River, the junior guard had 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals. At Kelso, Daugherty had 27 points, nine rebounds and six steals.

“Cherita has really been coming on strong,’’ Johnson said. “She does everything. She’s a great shooter and when she goes to the hole, nobody can stop her. She gets up in the air and it’s hard for people to stop her from making layups.’’

Emily Peters had eight points and eight rebounds in the win at Kelso and also had eight points in the win over Columbia River. Grace Prom also had eight points in both games. Jozie Tangeman had seven points in each of the two wins.

Prairie’s pressure defense forced Kelso into 24 turnovers.

“That’s the key to our game,’’ Johnson said.

Note – Prairie senior Jamie Phares announced last week that she will play softball next season at Clackamas Community College. Phares is also a key member of the Falcons basketball team this season. The 5-foot-7 guard-forward had seven points in Prairie’s win over Columbia River last week.