'Jacks defeat winless CCBC-Catonsville

By BENJAMIN BRUNNER

WYE MILLS – With only six players, Chesapeake College still dealt CCBC-Catonsville a 104-44 women's basketball loss last season. Before Tuesday's rematch, Skipjacks head coach Gwen Barnes said, "I don't know if it's going to be a blowout, but we expect them [Chesapeake] to come out every game and play hard."

All-American guard Janice Ladson, in recalling last season's rout, credited the win to "the fact that we all played hard and worked together as a team. I'm pretty sure our defense was unstoppable."

Chesapeake (4-1 overall, 1-0 league) thrived once again in Tuesday evening's 75-63 win. Shahra Madison (20 points, 19 rebounds, one steal, four blocks) and Chantelle Gross (14 points, eight steals, four rebounds) provided strong two-way play, while Ladson (21 points, nine assists, 9-for-18 field goals) was an offensive catalyst. Emily Truitt (seven points) and Gross each added two 3-pointers; Chandi Taylor (five points) added a trey, and Deondria Wimber (eight points) shot 6-for-6 from the line.

Even so, the game was still close at the half with Chesapeake holding a 31-22 lead against the Cardinals (0-3, 0-1).  The Skipjacks, however, exploded for 27 third-quarter points while building a 58-36 cushion. 

Ladson believes the Skipjacks – who won four straight region crowns between 2012 and 2015 – could be on track for another title.

"I want us to go to nationals," said Ladson. "We have a great team this year."

"It's possible, since we have such a deep bench," said Barnes. "We have a potential for leaders in many categories.  In fact, Shahra Madison is ranked No. 1 in Division II in rebounds, averaging 17.7 a game."