with stats and plays from MaxPreps and newspapers
by Janaya Andrews
McClymonds Lady Warriors (now 3-1) overcame their biggest challenge Friday, beating first-place rival Oakland Tech 63-58, to claim the #1 spot in the Oakland Athletic League.
Relentless and focused, the team weathered ups and downs in a wild game, with 13 lead changes.
Trailing 50-49 in the last four minutes, McClymonds went to a full-court press. The move paid off, as the Warriors forced Tech into committing six turnovers. A driving layup by Romanalyn Inocencio (11 points) gave McClymonds the lead for good, 54-52.
The team without Da Ja Nay Powell, 6-foot-2, one of Mack’s biggest weapons and a former Tech star, who had to sit on the bench, ineligible to play.
The Lady Warriors celebrated back-to-back victories as they easily beat Fremont 69-15 Wednesday, in the first match since a one-point unexpected loss to Skyline on Jan. 18.
“Fremont is not as good as Tech. We need to rebound better and run, run, run,” said coach Dennis Flannery as he prepared the Lady Warriors for their Friday game.
“Friday is much more important that we protect the basket,” said coach Flannery when describing the team strategy for the anticipated game against Oakland Tech on Friday.
“Tough going into season. Mack, Tech and Skyline are the best teams in the OAL. It’s not a surprise that people are the way they are,” said Flannery.
“We are taller [this year]. Still very fast, faster than last year,” said Flannery about the additions of Breannie Robinson, 5’11″, and (Daisy) Powell, 6’2″ who average nine points per game. Robinson and Powell accompanied with Ny’ Dajah Jackson and Romanalyn Inocencio are expected to start the home game against Fremont.
Aside from the absence of Powell, for coach Dennis Flannery “life is good” as the Lady Warriors surprised both Tech and sports writers with their victory.
“We didn’t play as a team. Everybody was busy shooting 3 point shots,” said Flannery as he described the first half of the game where Mack was behind 25 to 31.
“Huge win even without Daisy Powell,” said Flannery.
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