Columbia vs Triad: 5 Key Takeaways

<ol> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">Columbia and Triad battled in a semi-final game in the Columbia Tip Off tourney. Columbia came away with a 40-32 victory. The Lady Eagles built a 24-12 halftime lead that Triad chipped away at the second half. The Lady Eagles were able to make the plays when they needed to down the stretch to put the game away.</span></li> </ol> <ul> <li>Triad does most of their scoring inside the lane and at the free throw line. The team did not make any shots from behind the 3 point line. <strong>Heather Rood </strong>continued to do damage at the free throw line. She made 7 of her 11 points on free throws. <strong>Alyssa Powell </strong>had 8 points including 6 key points in the 4th quarter. The 5'11 freshman post seems poised to grow into a bigger role with this senior dominated team.</li> <li><strong>Sophia Bonaldi </strong>has not had her shot quite the way she would hope to start the season. As a veteran and leader on this team she always seems to find a way to get it done. For the game Sophia was only 3/13 from the field. She did have 2 key 3 pointers and went 7/10 from the free throw line. Her 15 points led the team and were key to the victory.</li> <li>Triad will need to get consistent offensive help from their inside game. With guards Rood and <strong>Ali Barisch </strong>the returning top scorers, they will produce most nights. Seniors <strong>Caleigh Miller, Krista Cochran and Molly Suess </strong>combined for 6 points. The emergence of Powell will help, but they will need more out of the seniors. Miller is taller at 6ft and strong. Suess and Cochran are both shorter posts but are extremely strong and tough. If they can come through each night then Triad will have a much better season.</li> <li>Every team needs a role player that stuffs the stat sheet. Somebody to do the dirty work as I have written in  other columns. For Columbia <strong>Lexi Touchette </strong>plays that role. A 5'9 strong athlete, Lexi scored 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Lexi plays great defense and will do all of the little things needed to help the team. Lexi recently signed to play college softball at Maryville University.</li> <li>The supporting cast of Columbia is also solid. You cannot leave <strong>Aryn Henke </strong>alone from behind the 3 point line. She hit two against Triad and totaled 7 points. <strong>Fae Harrell </strong>is a solid point guard that can handle the pressure and hit the free throws when they count. <strong>Lindsey Wibbenmeyer </strong>was also solid with 7 points and 4 rebounds.</li> </ul> Make no mistake, Columbia will only go as far as Bonaldi can carry them. She has to score if they are going to win big games. They are very solid defensively and the role players will fill their role. When they run their half court sets Bonaldi is the one true scorer they have. Sophia needs to have good shot selection as she can be prone to force things at times. The Lady Eagles will definitely have a good season and it will be interesting to see how far they can go. &nbsp; &nbsp; <ol> <li></li> </ol>