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  • Holly Pond’s Meg Gambrill (22) and Natasha Holcombe (34) play swarming defense on Cold Springs’ Haley Freeman during Thursday night’s semifinal matchup. Amanda Shavers-Davis

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  • Cold Springs Ka Ka Crider and Holly Pond's Taylor Rowell battle for a loose ball. Amanda Shavers-Davis

    Holly Pond-Cold Springs Varsity girls

  • Holly Pond's Courtney Deese dribbles past the Cold Springs' defense. Amanda Shavers-Davis

    Holly Pond-Cold Springs Varsity girls

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January 26, 2012

VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL: Gambrill, Holly Pond ready for rematch after comeback win

By Rob Ketcham The Cullman Times

HANCEVILLE — Scott Adams can lay claim to numerous signature wins throughout his lengthy coaching career, but Holly Pond’s leader feels his latest might be the most satisfying.

After beginning the game down 12-0, the Broncos stormed back and used a stout second-half defensive effort to defeat Cold Springs 50-38 Thursday night at the Tom Drake Coliseum.

“I told the girls I don’t know if I’ve ever been associated with a win that is more satisfying by the way they came back,” Adams said. “They could have folded.

“I knew it was going to be a battle against Cold Springs. Tammy West is as good a coach as I’ve ever seen or coached against. She’s a good friend, and I’ve got great respect for her and her program. Any time you beat a team like Cold Springs, you’ve accomplished something.”

The Eagles’ Haley Freeman started out the contest red hot, draining three 3-pointers and driving to the basket for a layup to give her squad an early double-digit lead.

It wouldn’t last, though, as Natasha Holcombe capitalized on a three-point play by swishing a free throw after being fouled to start Holly Pond’s comeback tour.

Meg Gambrill snagged a steal and took it to the rim to give the Broncos their first lead shortly before the end of the first quarter. The freshman had three other steal-layup combinations Thursday night in critical situations, including one in the third to put her squad up 39-30.

Adams said Gambrill struggled and was nervous recently against Cullman, resulting in one of her worst games of the season. That’s exactly why her impressive performance against Cold Springs meant so much to her coach.

“For her to come back after a bad game like that and really spark us as a ninth grader, I’m really proud of her,” Adams said.

Gamrbill finished the contest with a team-high 14 points, and Holcombe scored 11 from inside the paint. All nine of Taylor Terry’s points came in the second half, Taylor Rowell added eight, Courtney Deese netted six and Kendra Moore had two for Holly Pond.

Freeman wound up with 16 points for the Eagles, as did Chloe Harbison. Hanna Harbison scored six points.

The victory advances the Broncos to a championship rematch against Good Hope, the same team Holly Pond lost to in last year’s title rematch. Adams said this will be the fourth straight year his team has made it this far, but they haven’t won one yet. If things go his way, that will change when the two teams meet Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

“I’ve got great respect for those girls (Raiders) and their coach,” Adams said. “We played them tough at our place. It’s going to be a battle. We’re going to go out and give it everything we’ve got.

“We’re absolutely loving the opportunity. If you win or lose to them, you appreciate what they’re doing because Cold Springs, Good Hope, Holly Pond, that’s three elite programs right now in the state. For us to be able to battle each other in this county tournament, it’s nerveracking, but it’s fun to be a part of.”

Rob Ketcham can be reached at 256-7343-2131, ext. 257 or at robk@cullmantimes.com.

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