Oakland Mills girls basketball is an experienced group, returning its entire starting five from last season.
To ensure that group got the most out of the upcoming season, the Scorpions put in diligent offseason work that began in the weight room and on the track in March.
That summer work transitioned right into a challenging fall league in Baltimore where the Scorpions played against teams such as St. Timothy’s that left the Scorpions battle-tested entering the 2024 campaign where a challenging early-season schedule awaited.
Monday night at Centennial, the Scorpions pulled away with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Eagles by 18 in the frame and cruising to a 57-25 win.
“Collectively as a team, we’ve gained experience, especially with last season,” senior guard Heaven Alexander said. “Our chemistry has built a lot. All the tests and trials we’ve been through has really built us as a team, built our chemistry and connection with each other. I think this season is all about executing. We’ve got the foundation. We’ve got the coaching and everything. We’ve just got to put it to use.”
Alexander and fellow senior Destiny Macharia are spearheading that charge as veteran leaders with juniors Adey Alexander, Jeriah Shipp and Chloe Grenway building on their efforts.
Heaven and Adey Alexander’s persistent defensive pressure helped change the outlook of the game early in the second quarter. Centennial struggled mightily against the relentless backcourt pressure and the Scorpions capitalized with several transition baskets.
The Scorpions (2-2) are at their best when they’re playing with pace and pushing the ball in transition. After leading by five after one quarter, the Scorpions elevated their collective defensive intensity to build separation.
“The sense of urgency changed in the second quarter and that’s what we talk to these kids about,” Oakland Mills coach Mike Coughlan said. “They’ve played a lot of minutes in these first three games because it was so tough. We have to get minutes for some of the kids who don’t get a lot of minutes because at some point we’re going to need them and they need the experience in games.
As Oakland Mills grew its lead, the younger players earned their opportunity. Sophomores Lena Smartt and Adrianna Short played substantial minutes in the second half, creating offense in the paint and grabbing contested rebounds. Their strong play and development as young players are a testament to that team-wide offseason work.
Centennial #4, Haley Kim shoots a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centenial #10, Julia Braganca works the perimeter Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #13, Tatiana Machiz layup. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #14, Bea Petrlik shoots a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills 32, Adey Alexabder layup. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #33, Abigail Porter drives towartds the basket. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #33, Abigail Porter layup. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills #4, Heaven Alexander, layup. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills #12, Adrianna Short pulls down an offensive rebound. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills #4, Heaven Alexander, shoots a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial girls varsity basketball head coach, James Stefan during a time out. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills’ Lena Smartt shoots a pull-up jump shot during Monday’s game against Centennial. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
oakland Mills #3, Chloe Grenway shoots a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills #11, Destiny Macharia pull-up jumpshot. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills girls basketball varsity head coach, Michael Coughlan. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills girls basketball varsity head coach, Michael Coughlan, center, during a time out. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial girls varsity basketball head coach, James Stefan. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #13, Tatiana Machiz, drives towards the basket. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Oakland Mills #11, Destiny Macharia shoots two in the paint. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #33, Abigail Porter sinks a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #23, Evy Armstead shoots two in the paint. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Centennial #13, Tatiana Machiz drives towards the basket. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
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Centennial #4, Haley Kim shoots a three. Centennial vs Oakland Mills girls basketball at Centennial High School. The Scorpions defeated the Eagles 57 – 25. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Despite the personnel changes, Oakland Mills maintained its fast-paced style in the second half.
“It’s really fun, a lot of us been together even before high school,” Macharia said. “To have that chemistry off the court has been important. To come on the court, communication has been getting way better than last year. We’re moving together. We’re starting to do the fundamental things to make us better as a team. It’s getting really exciting.”
Centennial (1-4) struggled to keep up with the Scorpions, enduring extended scoreless stretches. While the Scorpions’ reserves played more minutes, Coughlan kept at least one starter on the floor with them for much of that time. That mixing and matching will only help Oakland Mills continue to elevate its chemistry and develop its younger players as the season progresses.
Transitioning past the early season challenges, the Scorpions have one game left on Wednesday before the Holiday Break. They know that staying the course as a group will play a large part in taking the next step as a program.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at [email protected], 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23.
