Ladue Girls Improve to 19-0

Ladue girls basketball coach Cord Dockery knew that his team's game against Jennings was going to be a contest with contrasting styles.

"It is going to be size against speed," Dockery said before the game.

Ladue's size would ultimately prevail as the Rams defeated Jennings 74-51 in a match-up of undefeated Suburban East Conference teams Monday at Ladue.

The victory clinches at least a tie for the conference title for Ladue, which can win the league outright with a win Friday against Clayton at Washington University. It also keeps Ladue unbeaten with a 19-record while breaking a 10-game Warrior winning streak.

"We certainly didn't expect to go this far in the season without a loss," Dockery said. "But the conference title was a huge goal for us. This is my fifth year and we have not won since I have been here."

The last Suburban East title for Ladue was, in fact, during the 2002-03 season.

"I love being 19-0," said sophomore Taylor Robinson, who led the Rams with 24 points Monday. "But winning the conference is amazing as well. It has been a long time since Ladue has won conference."

Robinson realized that the Jennings' game was one in which she could dominate. She is 6-foot-3 while the tallest starter for Jennings was 5-foot-8.

"We were ready for this team," Robinson said. "We knew we would have an advantage when we got it to the half-court."

Robinson scored just one point in the opening quarter but then scored 12 in the second quarter as Ladue led 35-28 at halftime.

"I thought a key was going to be how we handled their pressure and our guards did a real good job of that," Dockery said. "We knew we had the size advantage and could score in the half court."

It was a foul-filled game with Ladue attempting 42 free throws in the game. The Rams were also in foul trouble and had to play the last 3:55 of the third quarter without Robinson and senior Lauren Maclin. Ladue led 42-33 when Maclin went out with her fourth foul at that time. The Rams actually extended the lead by a point and led 50-40 after three quarters.

"I thought that was a key stretch in the game," Dockery said of the final four minutes of the third quarter. "It's not the first time that our bigs have been in foul trouble. But our bench has gotten a lot of playing time this year and has played with confidence."

Sophomore Liz Greenberg scored 14 points off the bench Monday.

"When I come into the game I just try to play hard, both offensively and defensively," Greenberg said. "I just want to help the team out any way I can."

Greenberg's role is different than it was when she was a freshman.

"Liz started last year," Dockery said. "But when Taylor came in (as a transfer from Edwardsville) we started her. Liz has been very valuable as a sixth person. She is a really tough kid."

Ladue had nine players finish with at least nine points Monday. Robinson led with 24 and Greenberg had 14. Kate Holloway was also in double figures with 12 while Maclin and Kiyerra Mims had nine each.

Chekeva Raiford had 15 and Aaryona Cook 12 for the Warriors, who fell to 15-6 overall.