Special Photo -- Northview senior point guard Connie Estevez (left) prepares to set a screen for Northview senior forward Meredith Tarver (24) in an early season game against Heritage High School.
“We began the season 7-2 overall then faced the adversity of injuries to key players,” said first-year Northview
coach Mike Martin, before noting injuries to three starters at various points in the season. “Yet we have battled to our current 12-12 record.”
Martin went on to say that his team has found success behind an aggressive defense and a quick-strike offense.
“The ladies have done a good job this year of playing defense, normally that is our strength. When
we are at our best we are strong on defense, maximizing our scoring and minimizing our turnovers.”
At their best of late, Northview won six of nine region games in January to slide past Sequoyah for the second seed in sub-region play — a team they beat twice this year and may see a third time next week.
Led by the play of seniors Meredith Tarver (a UMASS signee averaging 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game), Connie Estevez (an Oberlin college signee that is averaging 10.2 points) and Kirsten Thomas (Northview’s three-point specialist that is averaging 10.5 points), the Lady Titans topped the Lady Chiefs 65-63 Jan. 8 in double-overtime and in another close-fought 61-55 game Jan. 28.
As the No. 2 seed Northview will have a bye through the first round of tournament play Feb. 9 and will face the winner of No. 3 seed Sequoyah and No. 6 seed North Springs Feb. 12 for the right to go to state.
“We will have to focus on making good decisions with the ball, tighten up, and make crisp, quick passes,” said Martin of an impending state playoff play-in game against Sequoyah. “Mental focus can be as important as physical talent.”
The winner of the Feb. 12 matchup will receive the a state playoff bid and advance to the Final Four of the 7AAAAA tournament with 7A-AAAAA’s No. 1 seeded Creekview and a pair of Cobb County teams from 7B-AAAAA.
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