If the Smithsburg Leopards were feeling good off their 69-38 takedown of the Clear Spring Blazers on January 5th, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. Smithsburg fell 51-41 to Catoctin on Tuesday. The defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Smithsburg in their matchups with Catoctin: they've now lost nine in a row.
Several Leopards players turned in solid performances, despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Claire Bono, who scored 12 points along with seven rebounds and four steals. Bono is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Skyla Mastronardi, who scored seven points along with six steals and five assists.
Catoctin's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Taylor Smith, who scored 25 points along with six rebounds and five steals. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Smith has scored all season. Brooke Williams was another key contributor, dropping a double-double on 15 points and ten rebounds.
Smithsburg's defeat dropped their record down to 7-4. As for Catoctin, the win was the sixth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 12-1.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Smithsburg won't have much time to rest: their next contest is against Fort Hill at 7:00 p.m. on January 24th. Fort Hill is out to stop a four-game streak of losses at home. Catoctin on the road again on Friday and play against Brunswick at 7:00 p.m. on January 26th. Brunswick will have to bring their A-game into this one, as they are staring down a pretty big deficit in the MaxPreps Maryland Rankings (they are ranked 189th, while Catoctin is ranked 26th).
