3-point shots a key Lady Trojans trounce Palmetto Ridge

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Roger LaLonde/Staff (2) Lely's Violet Sullivan grabs a loose ball in the Lady Trojans win over Palmetto Ridge on Thursday.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Lely's Herda Paul out leaps a Palmetto Ridge player for a rebound, while teammate Jenny Pierre looks on as she blocks out Palmetto Ridge's Vanessa Gomez. Lely won easily on Thursday.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Lely's Jenny Pierre gets a shot over Palmetto Ridge's Regan McCraig in the Lady Trojans 55-24 victory on Thursday night.

Lely's Adriana Garousi looks to make a pass while teammate Casey Mendedl prepares to pick Victoria Gomez (14) to give Garousi a lane to the basket in the Lady Trojans victory over Palmetto Ridge.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Lely coach Kirsti Jones draws up a play during a time out in the Lady Trojans win over Palmetto Ridge on Thursday.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Roger LaLonde/StaffLely's Casey Mendel lets go of a shot that was good for 3 points in the Lady Trojans win over Palmetto Ridge on Thursday.

The Lely Lady Trojans trounced Palmetto Ridge, 55-24 on Thursday because they showed consistent play, something that has been a problem this season.

The 7-12 Lady Trojans jumped out early, using a suffocating full court press and hit five 3-point shots in the first half.

"We live and die by the 3-point shot," coach Kirsti Jones said.

In this game it was no problem. Adriana Garousi knocked in three 3-point shots in the first quarter and Casey Mendel followed with two 3s in the second period to have Lely comfortably in front at halftime, 31-13.

"We hustled, played hard on defense and got our fast breaks going off the turnovers," Jones said. "Jenny (Pierre) leads the fast break and Herda Paul (rebounding) makes it happen."

Jones said she is continuing to fine tune the offense, looking to get it consistent in each game.

On the night, Garousi tallied 17 points, with five 3-point baskets and Mendel 15, with point guard Pierre dishing out assists and scoring seven points. On times when Pierre missed a driving lay up the Lady Trojans were there for rebounds baskets. Paul. Excellent Darchelle, Gio Jean-Louis and Violent Sullivan controlled the boards.

Palmetto Ridge's Vanessa Gomez was scrappy on defense and scored 12 points on offense to lead the Lady Bears.

Lely travels to Golden Gate for a game tonight and hosts Bishop Verot on Friday night. Both games are at 7 p.m.