In the preseason’s last tournament at Gahr High School in December, the Jordan Panthers took two tough losses against Centennial and Millikan.  

Since then, Jordan coach Adara Newidouski has been driving home the fundamentals in practice and it’s paying off.  Last week, her team got some revenge and knocked off Millikan in overtime.  Yesterday, the newfound Panther momentum continued to grow with a 78-25 runaway win over Compton at home.

Jordan used the press in the first quarter and forced 11 turnovers, ending the eight minute period with a 27-4 lead. Danesha Long had ten steals in the game and scored eight of her 17 in the first quarter.  India Burke added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Armani Wiley had a game-high 20 points with five assists and eight rebounds, five offensive.  That, ladies and gentlemen, is the Jordan backcourt. 

“We’ve worked so hard on the fundamentals that everyone knows what everyone is doing,” says Newidouski. “Things like defensive ball pressure and timing and rotations… it’s paying off now, and the game with Poly will be interesting.”

Jordan will play winless Lakewood on Wednesday before closing the week out against the Jackrabbits. Newidouski admitted that Poly will “out-height and out-width” her team, but that, “they’re excited for the challenge.”