ALLEN PARK — A couple of local high school girls basketball teams stepped out of their respective conferences for a Tuesday matchup when Romulus Summit Academy North traveled to take on Allen Park Cabrini.
Summit came into play looking to snap a mini two-game losing skid after opening the season with wins in seven of their first nine games. Tuesday meanwhile was the first game in nearly two weeks for Cabrini, who was handed their first loss of the campaign by Catholic League goe Wixom St Catherine back on Jan 16.There were no signs of rust for the host Monarchs, who bounced back with a big 62-37 win over the visiting Dragons from Summit.
It was one of the better offensive showings of the winter for Cabrini, who matched a season-high mark in points scored. It’s also one of the more convincing wins for the Monarchs, as it comes after seeing their previous three wins all be decided by single digits.
Cabrini on Tuesday found themselves in a close battle early with Summit before eventually opening things up. The Monarchs outscored the Dragons by 19 after the first quarter, including a 30-17 advantage after halftime.
First-year head coach Kal Samhouri also saw his depth on display in the win as eight different players scored for Cabrini in the win. None, however, were more prolific than Madisyn Smith.
A first-team all-News-Herald honoree a season ago, Smith on Tuesday turned in a game-high 17 points, seven of which came as part of a 19-point first quarter for Cabrini. The senior was one of two Monarchs to finish in double-figures as fellow classmate Natalie Courtright chipped in with a dozen by night’s end.
Meanwhile on the other side, it was primarily a two-person crew for Summit as senior Dezire Adams and junior Jaliya Hughes combined for 26 of the team’s 37 points. A former all-area honoree herself last year, Adams led all scorers for the visitors with 15 points.
The Dragons certainly had a chance to close the gap some with Cabrini, specifically at the free throw line. As a team, they converted on just eight of 28 chances at the charity stripe. The Monarchs did not fare much better, knocking down four of their nine such tries.
Summit has now been held under 40 points over its last three games. It’s a stretch that comes after scoring at least 50 points in five games prior to what is not a current three-game losing skid.
UP NEXT
Cabrini (9-1) will revisit its Catholic League slate when they hit the road to take on Royal Oak Shrine on Thursday, Jan 29. It’s an opportunity for a season series sweep for the Monarchs, who picked up a 58-52 win over the Knights back on Jan 12.
Summit (7-5) meanwhile will look to get back on track when they return home and host Charter Conference foe Harper Woods Chandler Park on Friday, Jan 30.
Photo gallery of Romulus Summit Academy North vs Allen Park Cabrini in girls hoops action
