Latrobe’s size too much for McKeesport
By JEREMY TEPPER
MVI Sports
Late in the third quarter of Thursday’s game, McKeesport had Latrobe’s 6-1 star Anna Rafferty seemingly tied up at the top of the key.
Normally, the Tigers might cause a turnover in that situation. Instead, Rafferty drove by her defender, was fouled and hit the layup and the subsequent free throw, stretching Latrobe’s lead to 48-40.
The scenario was all too familiar for the Tigers as time and time again, McKeesport seemingly did all it could on defense, but Latrobe was too tall and too skilled in a 70-62 win in Section 4-5A play.
“That was 100% the difference. They threw it over top of us many times. We had people double teaming, we had backside help,” said McKeesport coach Eric Smith. “We practiced for it, but it’s hard to simulate that. Needless to say, I thought that was the biggest difference.”
A quick look at McKeesport and Latrobe’s rosters reveals a very obvious difference: Latrobe (7-1, 6-0) is quite tall and McKeesport (8-2, 2-2) isn’t.
Along with Rafferty, Latrobe has two other players that are six foot in 6-1 Emma Blair and 6-0 Camille Dominick. McKeesport’s tallest player in the rotation is 5-8 Avionna Menifee.
The size disparity affected the game immensely, as Rafferty dominated play with 21 points, while Blair had 14. Beyond the duo’s points, Latrobe’s size allowed it to control the boards and free shooters up for open jumpers.
“(Rafferty) did some things that we haven’t seen in a while. She ran the floor very well, caught the ball and finished at the basket” Smith said. “Her and Blair both have great touch around the basket. They don’t miss many. If they get it deep, they don’t miss.”
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