Dec 23, 2004 By Kevin Harrison For The 3 min read

Geibel Catholic’s Danielle Cochrane (24) eyes the hoop during Wednesday’s game against Carmichaels, as the Lady Mikes’ Aly Staun extends her arms to keep her from going up. Other players moving in on the action are Carmichaels’ Jamie Imhoff (11) and the Lady Gators’ Natalie Hozak (20). CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – The Geibel Catholic Lady Gators basketball team gave themselves an early Christmas present, rolling past Carmichaels 77-30 for their first section 2-A win of the season.

The Lady Gators (1-2, 2-7) relied on a pressing defense to put together their best game of the season. Geibel was able to get the entire roster some much needed game time, and got a great boost from the bench. Sophomore forward, Natalie Hozak came off the bench to score a game-high 16 points for Geibel. Junior forward Danielle Cochrane also reached double figures on the night with 10.

Courtney Gilpin led Carmichaels with nine points on the night. Ally Staun backed her with eight.

The Lady Mikes (2-2, 4-6) played another night, without center Megan Stuvek, because of injury. “We didn’t play well tonight. We had a lot of problems with Geibel’s press tonight. We didn’t make plays when we had to.” Carmichaels coach Jim Lane said. “Hopefully we can get Megan back before the first of the year, because we need her help inside. We have a lot of work to do.”

Carmichaels jumped out to an early lead on baskets by Courtney Newland, and Gilpin. Geibel’s defensive pressure forced the Lady Mikes into several turnovers and allowed Geibel to attack the basket.

Abbie Renze scored five points to lead the Geibel attack in the first quarter. Cochrane, Erica Speeney, and Hozak each had four points in the quarter.

“We’ve been coming out sluggish at the beginning of games and not playing very well,” Geibel coach Pat Klocek said. “I think coming out with more pressure early, gives us a little more intensity during the game.”

Geibel continued to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Mikes 22-10, to take a 44-17 halftime lead.

The Lady Gators were able to continue their balanced scoring attack with seven players getting into the scoring column.

Nicole Berry had five points in the quarter, including one from three-point range. Mia White also dropped in a trey while scoring four points.

Hozak pounded the glass for another four points in the quarter.

The third quarter saw Geibel holding a 15-6 edge to increase the lead to 59-23.

Julie Cummings opened the scoring for Geibel with a trey.

Staun countered for the Lady Mikes, hitting her second three-pointer of the game. Cummings added another bucket, and Hozak had six points in the quarter to lead the Gators.

Geibel refused to let up in the fourth quarter, going on an 18-7 scoring run to close out the contest. Lara Lazuka dropped in six points for the Lady Gators in the final period, and Cochrane, and Samantha Hawk added four each.

“Once we got the lead, we played relaxed. This is the best they’ve played all year,” Klocek said. “We ran plays tonight, better than we have all year. Hopefully this is a sign the team is starting to move in the right direction.”