Poston, Cook push Falcons past Bull Run rival Rams

View larger image Brenna Cook View larger image Katelyn Poston

By Tommy Keeler Jr. - tkeeler@nvdaily.com

WOODSTOCK -- Central has faced a lot of adversity this season. After a slow start to the season, the Falcons have had to deal with injuries that have whittled their team to only seven players.

Against Strasburg on Friday night, the Falcons showed that they were unfazed by all the adversity as they pounded the Rams from start to finish in a 61-30 Bull Run District girls basketball victory.

The players said having only seven has been an adjustment, but it's also forced them to play more as a team.

"It helps us to work better as a team because we can't get in foul trouble," Central sophomore Brenna Cook said. "We can't get down on ourselves.

"With all the injuries we've had to come together as a team, and I think we definitely have."

Central started the season with 10 players, and just when it was starting to hit its stride, leading scorer Katelyn Poston suffered a concussion. Then the Falcons had two more players leave the team.

Poston only missed two weeks, but now the Falcons are without senior Rebecca Sigler. The center is out due to a hairline fracture in her hand and Central coach Stephanie Cooper said she expects her to miss two weeks.

Through all the adversity, the Falcons have gotten closer as a team.

"It's made us a lot stronger," Poston said. "I think we've came so far since our first game, just working better as a team, getting closer. And it's really coming along for us."

The Falcons (6-9, 4-3 Bull Run) didn't waste time in flexing their muscles against the Rams. Central scored the first 10 points of the game, including five from Poston.

Strasburg (5-9, 2-5 Bull Run) was able to make a run late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter. The Rams held the Falcons without a basket for 5:09, and were able to cut the lead to 15-8. However, Cook and Poston combined for nine points in an 11-0 run to pull away for good.

"We were definitely motivated tonight," Cook said. "Of course, it's the rivalry. We were all in the locker room trying to get pumped up. I think we came out here and played like it."

One key for the Falcons this season has been moving Poston from shooting guard to point guard. She is currently in the top five in both scoring and assists in the area and finished with 19 points, five assists, five steals and five rebounds against the Rams.

"I'm really enjoying it," Poston said of playing at point guard. "Being the point guard gives you so many aspects to work with your teammates. You're kind of a leader, and you're getting assists and you're able to score. It's an all-around role, and it really helps out your teammates in a lot of ways.

"In the past few games I've been getting a lot of assists. And I'm proud of myself because I'm getting better as a team player, and working better with my teammates. And I'm really happy with that."

Strasburg's Katlyn Ayers led the Rams with nine points. Strasburg coach Joel Morgan said offense continues to be a big problem for his team, but one that they will continue to work on.

"We've been struggling on offense, but we're not going to quit," Morgan said. "We're going to keep trying hard and keep working on it. If the kids will stick with me, we'll keep trying."

The Falcons had a balanced scoring attack and dominated on the boards. Cook finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Theresa Barela had 11 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Sydney Plum had four points and six rebounds, and Bright had 12 points.

The Falcons felt like it was one of their best games, and halfway through their district season are confident about their chances the rest of the way.

"It's good that we've gotten to play every team [in the district]," Cook said. "This time around, I guess when we play all the teams again we should beat some of the teams we lost to. And we know what to expect now. I think we've done pretty good in the district so far, and we just need to keep improving."