Lady Cobras win...and lose

Karen Trivett's lines were thin anyway.

But after one of the coach's seven players went down to a possibly serious knee injury Wednesday, the depth is about as un-deep as it could be for the Lady Cobra basketball team of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. With starter Kara Hawkins out for the game, Trivett's team rallied for a 75-58 win over Wilkes Community College.

The victory was a good one for the Cobras, who improved to 12-4 with the victory over a very athletic, aggressive Wilkes team.

But in the post-game moments, Cobra thoughts quickly turned from the victory to concern for Hawkins, a former South Caldwell High School standout, who was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

“(Kara's) the heart and soul of this team,” said Trivett. “She's worked as hard as anybody we've got. I just hope and pray for the best.”

Hawkins' injury occurred on a fastbreak early in the second half. She planted to go up for a layup and appeared to step on the foot of an opposing player, twisting her right knee.

Had Hawkins scored on the play, it would have given the Cobras the lead in what had been a back-and-forth contest. Instead, her injury and the words she spoke as she left the gym gave her teammates the motivation they needed to proceed without her.

“The last thing she said when she left, was ‘Win,'” said Trivett. “The kids heard that and rose to the occasion.”

A basket by Robin Waddell gave the Cobras the lead on the first possession without Hawkins. Less than five minutes later, the Cobras took over, pulling ahead 47-46 - and for good - on a 3-pointer by guard Candi Taylor. The Cobras scored eight unanswered points moments later to take a 57-47 lead with 6:40 to go, then had a 7-0 run during the final two minutes to seal the win.

Rebounding was key for the Cobras, who won the team battle 50-35. Waddell and Bree Oglesby had 13 apiece for Caldwell.

Waddell led the Cobras with 21 points. Keeyauna Powell scored 17 points, Brittany Colvin 13 and Taylor and Oglesby scored 10 apiece.

Trivett said that kind of offensive production is going to be key in the team's final three regular season games. Losing one player to injury often isn't as detrimental as it first seems. However, on a team of just seven players, each player counts a little more, especially one of Hawkins' caliber.

“It was very difficult with seven,” Trivett said. “Depending on Kara's status, it could be more difficult.”

The Cobras will have nearly a week to rest up and prepare. They take the court again Feb. 5 at Louisburg College.

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