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Mostly Cloudy Alexander stars in LWA win
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Sophomore Hayley Alexander had 30 points in LWA's win over Waldorf on Jan. 13.
Frank Koester/Herald
Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s Hayley Alexander did more than simply pick up the slack Jan. 13 with senior forward Caroline Clark away on a college visit.
Alexander, a sophomore point guard, scored all but six of the team's points in a 36-24 IPPSAL victory at Waldorf. Half of her 30 points came from beyond the arc, and she hit six traditional field goals and three free throws. She also assisted on the Lady Tigers’ other three baskets, scored by Nadia Williams, Gaby Cayne and Amber Garrick.
"We usually try to push the tempo as much as we can, but without Caroline we used more of a halfcourt offense with Hayley coming off the pick-and-roll," LWA coach Mike Cohn said. "Hayley's jump shot has been falling more this season, making her that much more dangerous."
Alexander's effort against Waldorf, followed by her 20-point performance in a 30-28 loss at Upper Room the next day, vaulted her over Clark—a soccer standout headed to Providence College—as the team's leading scorer, and Cohn is counting on the duo to carry the defending champion Lady Tigers deep into the playoffs.
"We're capable of winning the league again," Cohn said. "We brought back three starters, but we're still a work in progress. We've had some ups and downs. We have to continue to work hard and jell."
Alexander is averaging 16 points per game. "She always looks to make that initial pass," Cohn said. "She can drive and score, drive and dish or hit a jumper coming off a screen. There are a lot of ways she can hurt you."
Clark's blazing speed makes her a home-run threat on the fast break. She's averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per outing. "Caroline's a great athlete who finishes well on the break and is a post presence for us," Cohn explained.
LWA (6-3 in IPPSAL, 7-6 overall) avenged one of its losses the second time through the schedule when it knocked off visiting Solomon Schechter on Jan. 5, 41-23. Clark had 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, Alexander hit for 15 points and Williams, a junior guard/forward, added eight points.
On Jan. 27, the Lady Tigers will look to avenge an earlier defeat to Portledge. They host the rematch. "Portledge is the biggest of the six games we've got left," Cohn said. "We've got midterms this week, and I feel after that's behind the girls we can regain our stride."
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