Girls Hoops: Poly Too Much in Moore League Mismatch

Wilson High girls basketball coach Reta Sula went into a game on Wednesday against Moore League rival Poly, ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today, with some realistic expectations. The Bruins wanted to play hard throughout the entire game and not look up at the scoreboard.

The host Bruins accomplished their goal, but when they looked up at the end they were on the short end of a 67-22 blowout.

“We played really hard but Poly is Poly,” Sula said. “They get after you and play tough defense from start to finish. They just are an amazing team that really has no weaknesses. I can’t believe they have lost.”

Poly (20-2, 9-0) has lost only twice this season, both times to Brea Olinda, the No. 1 team in the USA Today rankings.

“The way the rankings are, if we make it to the finals they’re the team we will probably face,” Poly coach Carl Buggs said. “If we make it, I really like our chances.”

The Jackrabbits’ have won their Moore League games by an average of 51.2 points, winning three times by more than 60 points. Against the Bruins that domination was again on display, Poly opening the game scoring the first 18 points and holding a 43-13 halftime advantage.

“What can you say to your team,” Sula said. “We just asked our girls to compete throughout and not worry about the score. I think they did that tonight and I was proud of our girls.”

The Bruins are no pushover either but were just no match for the taller, faster and much more athletic Jackrabbits. Wilson (16-7, 7-3) is tied for second place in the Moore League with Jordan and has a showdown at home with the Panthers on Feb. 10. 

Wilson lost to Jordan the first time they met 59-54, but Sula believes her team has vastly improved over the last two weeks and will be more prepared this time around.

“That game will be a war,” Sula said. “We will be ready and are going to give them one hell of a fight. Last time we played we had some injuries and some people sick. Next time we’re going to be ready.”

The Bruins were led against Poly by senior guard Samira Fields, who scored a team-high 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Janelle Porter and Michaela Reed added five points. 

“We knew what we were up against tonight,” Fields said. “Coach gave us each goals to try to achieve tonight and I thought for the most part we achieved those goals and played better than the last time we met.”

Poly was led by senior center Sheila Boykin, who scored a game-high 16 points, and senior guard Ariya Crook-Williams who added 13 points. Boykin has signed a national letter of intent with UCLA while Crook-Williams signed at USC.

“They’ve played together they’re whole childhood,” Buggs said. “It’s going to be fun to watch those two battle over the next four to five years.”