WOODS CROSS -- The Woods Cross Lady Wildcats looked phenomenal in defeating the East High Leopards on Friday. A combination of stifling defense and smooth offense gave the 'Cats a 63-46 victory. In reality, the game wasn't even as close as the score indicates, a few late shots by East against the Woods Cross second team closed the gap in the score. The game marked the best performance by the Lady 'Cats this season and one of the best offensive showings by any team in region. Simply put, the Cats offense exploded like a burrito left too long in a microwave.

Senior forward Courtney Flores led the 'Cats in scoring with 20 points. Flores made good on a combination of short jumpers, three pointers, and creative lay ups in traffic. Also having great offensive showings for the 'Cats were Courtney Wilkes and Jenna Markisich who finished with nine and seven points respectively.

In the first half Woods Cross jumped all over East with suffocating man-to-man defense. The East guards simply could not handle the pressure applied by the Woods Cross guards and turned the ball over repeatedly. Guard Sarah Hawkes put the 'Cats up early 12-2 after she took a steal coast to coast for a lay up. Courtney Flores put the 'Cats up big, 30-11, with three straight baskets including an NBA range three-pointer. Three more baskets gave the 'Cats a Shaq-size halftime lead, 37-13.

In the second half the Lady 'Cats continued their punishing defense that led to many more East turnovers. Guard Kimly Anderson stole an East pass at half court and took the ball in for an easy two points. Besides the easy baskets created from their defense Woods Cross was smoking hot from the outside. Guard Jenna Mark- isich had two three-pointers, one of which came off a play called by Coach Mitch Smith.

"Jenna played great. We called play two in the huddle, (which calls for Jenna to get the ball at the top of the key for the three-pointer) and she nailed it," said Coach Smith.

The 'Cats took a 48-28 lead into the third quarter and continued to play well into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Another steal and lay- up by Kimly Anderson put the 'Cats up 56-31. On the next possession Jenna Markisich made a great pass over the top of the East defense to Courtney Wilkes for an easy lay up.

A few late scores by East made the score a little closer but in reality the game was over early in the third quarter. Smith was thrilled to see his team perform so well offensively and credits the team's success with basic execution.

"We set great picks, we were running the offensive the way it's supposed to be run. All the girls played great, I'm very proud of them."

Next up for the Wildcats is a region battle with rival Bountiful this Tuesday.