By AUSTIN FRANKLIN / Special to the Reporter

NORTH SHELBY —After struggling on offense throughout the first half, the Mountain Brook varsity girls attacked offensively and overcame a double-digit deficit to beat Spain Park 60-50 on Dec. 8.

Spain Park opened the game with a full court press that stifled Mountain Brook’s offense and it consistently converted turnovers into easy baskets. Spain Park’s Claire Holt set the tone early, leading the Jaguar’s offensive attack with 8 first quarter points.

With Mountain Brook struggling to overcome the press, Spain Park was able to establish a lead early on. Arielle Park’s four-point play at the buzzer gave Spain Park a 22-14 lead entering the second quarter.

In the second, Mountain Brook continued to struggle against Spain Park’s defense and fell further behind. Mountain Brook’s defense was able to stop the bleeding late in the first half by forcing turnovers of their own, but on the offensive side of the court the Lady Spartan’s were unable to find open lanes. Going into the half the Jaguars led 34-24.

Coming out of the break the Mountain Brook offense had clearly turned a page, as they found an answer to Spain Park’s full court press with a fast-break offense of their own. Their halftime deficit of ten was erased midday through the third as Mountain Brook went on a 12-0 run to start the second half.

Once Mountain Brook gained the lead they never looked back, as they entered the fourth with a 44-41 lead. The fourth quarter mirrored the third as Spain Park found themselves unable to come up with an answer to Mountain Brook’s new found offense led by the trio of Janie Branch, Walker Poe, and Sara Carr.

Mountain Brook continued to exploit the press defense run by Spain Park and ultimately won the game with a final score of 60-50.

Mountain Brook head coach Mark Cornelius reflected on the difference in offensive attack.

“We rebounded a ton better and we attacked the press,” Cornelius said. “We talked about before the game about it, but we still played timid, but the second half it was we either attack or we’re going to lose. When we attacked we got lay-up after lay-up and that allowed us back into the game. They’re a good team, and I’m just thrilled that we won. It was awesome.”

Mountain Brook’s Walker Poe led all scorers with 20 points.