By Don Ketchum

Glendale Cactus has a strong tradition in girls’ basketball. The Lady Cobras won three state championships in the last decade (2004, 2006, 2007) under former coach Jim Graham.

Georgia Behrend knows all about that tradition. She was the head coach at the JV level and was a varsity assistant before taking over the program this season.

Her players know about the tradition, too. People remind them all the time.

After a few lean years, they are ready to return the program to prominence.

They presented evidence of that on Thursday night (Dec. 15) by emerging with a 61-55 victory over host Peoria Liberty in a hard-fought game.

Cactus, No. 2 in Division II power points entering this week, raised its record to 11-2. Liberty fell to 5-4.

“It doesn’t matter if we have a winning record. Everybody is still out to get us because of the tradition,’’ Behrend said. “It’s a big honor for me to coach here.’’

Liberty remained within striking distance early in the fourth quarter, trailing 49-45 with 6:08 to go. Part of the reason why the Lady Lions remained close was that Cactus’ top two players, Sydney Mullings and Monique Smith, were in foul trouble with four each.

Behrend didn’t want to leave them out too long.

“It’s like the little devil on your shoulder, challenging you to put them back in,’’ she said. “I put them back in because they have played with fouls like that before.’’

Mullings, a senior, had controlled the first half with 14 points, then concentrated on rebounding and defense in the second half, finishing with 17. She came up with a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Smith for a layup with 53 seconds left to increase the lead to 59-53.

Smith was not timid, either. The junior scored 11 of her 21 points in the second half.

“Sometimes I think they (players) think that they’re the ones who are down (behind),’’ Behrend said. “That’s why I like timeouts. I can remind them that they’re the ones who are in control.’’

Cactus also played strong defense when it needed to. Liberty players pass the ball and cut to the basket well. Cactus played zone briefly, but returned to a man-to-man and played better.

For Liberty, remember the name Courtney Christmas. The 5-foot-10 player, now a freshman, should be an impact player for years to come. She led her team with 18 points, and senior Megan Colvin added 15.