Girls basketball: Columbia wins defensive battle over First Baptist

ELYRIA — It's safe to say there was some opening day rust to shake off Monday. Columbia and First Baptist combined to shoot 15 percent from the field, but the Raiders found enough offense late in the second half to score nine unanswered and pull away for a 27-19 non-conference victory. "There was definitely a lot of rust to shake off," Columbia coach Faith Williams said. "But I think what we did very well is that we didn't get flustered. Things weren't going our way in regards to shots, we really weren't making anything, but we know the one thing we can control is our energy and our defense. We locked in on defense, made the adjustments we needed to and it turned out well for us in the end." Both teams struggled offensively — Columbia led 2-0 for the first 6:05 — but the Sabres also played strong defense in forcing the Raiders into 16 turnovers, combining for eight steals and four blocks. Almost everything funneled through First Baptist senior Kate Burman, who finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, seven steals, four blocks and assisted on the only field goal she didn't score, a 3-pointer by Joanna Wacker. Wacker added a free throw. Burman scored the Sabres' first nine points, but Wacker's four-point run came in a 1:30 stretch that tied the game at 13 with 3:21 left. "Our team really did a good job of staying hardcore on defense and really fought to defend the ball really well," Burman said. "I think the other team wasn't really expecting us to play that hard on defense, and I'm really proud of the girls for keeping their heads up. We had some foul trouble, so to come out here and keep Columbia to 27 is a big step. That's a big part of our team, playing hardcore defense, and I'm really proud of that." Columbia clamped down on defense and found enough offense to pull away, with Alyssa Goebel scoring six points during a 9-0 run that spanned 8:10. Karlie Arcuri contributed a free throw and Allison Boardman a field goal during the run. Boardman also added a game-high 10 rebounds and tied Kenzie Shackelton for a team-high four steals. "We changed our intensity and we kept the positivity up," said Goebel, who finished with a team-high eight points before fouling out with 1:30 left. "We knew we were slacking, so we told ourselves to get in the game so we could win. Our shots weren't falling, but we're going to fix our mistakes so we can do well next game." Burman ended the run with a free throw then ended the Sabres' drought from the field with her third 3-pointer at the 2:12 mark, cutting Columbia's lead to 22-17. Arcuri responded immediately with an easy layup in transition. A pair of free throws by Burman kept the Sabres alive, but First Baptist could not convert another field goal while the Raiders went 3-of-8 from the free throw line in the final 40 seconds. "I say the defense was there, holding that team to under 30 is a good night," First Baptist coach Lawrence Nagengast said. "I just think sometimes we lost confidence when we didn't see some go through (the net) a couple times. And in the first game of the season, when that happens early, you don't have any other games to lean on. So we'll work on that going forward." Contact Chris Sweeney at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X. Columbia 27, First Baptist 19 COLUMBIA (27): Alyssa Goebel 3-1-8, Allison Boardman 1-2-4, Karlie Arcuri 2-3-7, Lexi Miller 0-0-0, Kenzie Shackelton 1-1-3, Abby Elgin 1-0-3, Bernadette Beach 1-0-2, Brooke Miller 0-0-0. Totals 9-7-27. FIRST BAPTIST (19): Kate Burman 4-4-15, Joanna Wacker 1-1-4, Meghan Hennessey 0-0-0, Mia Cartagena 0-0-0, Kara Gravley 0-0-0, Katelynn Anderson 0-0-0, Brynn White 0-0-0, Evelyn Fisher 0-0-0, Leah Quick 0-0-0. Totals 5-5-19. Columbia 4 6 7 10 — 27 First Baptist 2 6 5 6 — 19 Three-point goals: Columbia 2-13 (Elgin, Goebel), First Baptist 4-16 (Burman 3, Wacker). Field goals: Columbia 9-43 (21 percent), First Baptist 5-45 (11 percent). Free throws: Columbia 7-19 (37 percent), First Baptist 5-10 (50 percent). Rebounds: Columbia 27 (Boardman 10), First Baptist 38 (Burman 9). Total fouls: Columbia 14, First Baptist 20. Fouled out: Goebel, Anderson. Turnovers: Columbia 16, First Baptist 24. Junior varsity: Columbia, 44-10