FORT WASHINGTON, PA – The Germantown Academy Patriots took control of their own destiny Tuesday afternoon, as they hosted Episcopal Academy in a game that could award GA a share of the Inter-Ac title, if both teams maintain a perfect league record for the remainder of the season.
On December 13, 2016 the two teams battled in a physical match-up, which ended in a home victory for the Churchwomen 56-49.
Tuesday, the roles reversed. This time the Patriots came out on top with the help of sophomore guard, Rachel Balzer.
GA's Rachel Balzer hits a 3-pointer, followed by a basket from EA's Elodie Furey
To say that Balzer shot the lights out of GA’s gymnasium would be an understatement. She scored 16 of her teams’ 30 first-half points, 12 of which came from four – three point baskets.
“When she (Rachel) gets hot, there’s no stopping her,” said GA assistant coach Joe Magarity following the game.
The Patriots took a commanding 30-15 halftime lead, leaving EA to play catch-up the entirety of the second half.
By the looks of the halftime score, many would assume the game ended in a blowout, but the Churchwomen cleaned up their game in the second half. Senior forward, Elodie Furey, led her team on the floor scoring 21 points over the third and fourth quarters to tighten EA’s gap. However, the last minute comeback was not enough, leading to a 52-42 victory for the Patriots.
With the win, Episcopal and Germantown Academy are tied 6-1 at the top of Inter-Ac standings. GA head coach Sherri Retif explains how her team refocused from their initial meeting with EA in order to steal the win at home.
“It was all on the line today and the kids knew that,” said Retif. “Our underclassmen were a lot more experienced and poised this game and were in full control…We were in a better place than where we were before and it’s our home court so we wanted to take advantage of that as well. Rachel just stepped up and her team got her the ball and set the screens and she was very focused and all business. I couldn’t be more proud of my group of girls.”
GA junior forward Alexa Naessens addresses the importance of the win vs. EA
GA soph. guard Rachel Balzer talks about how her team prepared for this match-up
Rachel Balzer talks about what attributed to her hot-streak on the floor
Although the game ended in a much needed victory, in the opening seconds of the game the Patriots lost senior Lilly Bolen, who suffered an injury to her right leg when heading in for a layup. While the senior co-captain’s leadership was not present on the floor, her spirit was felt by all of her teammates who rallied together to get her the win.
“As I walked over to the bench, Alexa [Naessens] tapped me and said ‘Coach we got this,’” said Retif.
“The team came together. It was a big loss in the first seconds with Lilly. But we came back, we wanted to win it for her, and we got that done,” said Balzer, who finished the game with 25 points.
GA vs. EA
Looking Ahead: GA will travel to play Baldwin tomorrow at 4 PM while EA will play away against the Academy of Notre Dame in their next league match-up on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
GA Stats:
Rachel Balzer 25 pts.
Jaye Haynes 11 pts.
Alexa Naessens 8 pts.
Maddie Vizza 6 pts.
Elle Stauffer 2 pts.
EA Stats:
Elodie Furey 29 pts.
Seanna McNamara 5 pts.
Luca Mamula 5pts.
Reilly Wright 3 pts.