Buckman, Mantziori power Cardinal Gibbons past Centennial
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – Behind senior Brooke Buckman, the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs defeated the Centennial Eagles, 61-40, for their 15th win of the season on Thursday. The 6-foot forward finished with 13 points and two 3-pointers as the Chiefs (15-4) won their fifth game in a row. The Eagles, out of Port St. Lucie, fall back to 13-6.
A fast start by Cardinal Gibbons saw the Chiefs take a 10-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Centennial’s Tykiria Benjamin, who finished with 12 points, gave the Eagles their first field goal midway through the first period. After a 19-10 first eight minutes, the Chiefs would methodically expand their lead over the next three quarters behind Buckman and two other double-figure scorers.
Brooke Buckman netted 13 points as Cardinal Gibbons easily defeated Centennial for the Cheifs 15th win of the season.
Photo by Michael Costeines
Senior guard Taylor Williams finished with a team-best 14 points and nine boards while senior point guard Konstantina Mantziori orchestrated the offense with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Junior guard Jordan Kosoy added 9 points on three 3-pointers.
“Centennial played hard and aggressive,” said head coach Kevin Gordon. “We try to put the schedule where we see different teams. Obviously, this team had a lot of size, and we are not the biggest team. We also have one key kid out. We are able to have kids step up on the scoring, so we don’t worry about that. We try to just focus a lot on the defensive end, and executing on offense where the ball moves so it doesn’t stick.
"Obviously, Konstantina and Taylor and Jordan and Savanna, we have a lot of girls who could be that engine to start that and keep going. (Brooke) is a blue-collar athlete. I hope someone can take this young lady just for her work ethic and her heart. A lot of coaches say that, but she took three charges today. I can remember back in summer play she took almost 10 charges in five games. Now, she is up to 18 in 19 games, and three tonight. She gives her body up for the team. She is one of those kids where this weekend we had some time off and she is in the gym every day. She’s working on her offense because she knows that’s something she has to gain. I think every coach would want a Brooke Buckman for sure.”
Taylor Williams scored a team-high 14 points and nearly achieved a double-double, finishing with nine rebounds.
Centennial, who’s stagnant beginning may have been attributed to travel, fought behind Benjamin and leading scorer Gwen Miller’s 14 points on three 3-pointers. Freshman center Jailyn Williams also gave the Eagles a strong inside presence with seven points and eight rebounds.
While having eight different scorers, the Chiefs received strong individual aspects from its roster. Mantziori led the Chiefs with her passing ability and game awareness. Williams used her athleticism to score off the drive and in transition. Kosoy’s perimeter shooting was perfect on three attempts. Buckman’s three-level scoring accompanied her willingness to take charges on defense.
Konstantina Mantziori did a little bit of everything for the Chiefs, scoring 10 points, grabbing seven rebounds and handing out five assists.
“I think we played great as a team,” said Buckman. “We came out strong. We were in the locker room and were like let’s get this because we have been on a roll. From practicing every single day so hard and coming out on the court and playing like that is just amazing. Of course, there are a couple things we have to change before playoffs come but overall, I think we played great as a team. The first time I took a charge it automatically clicked, I will give up my body for my team any single day. If that helps us win, then I’m willing to do anything.”
