Cossou's 28 points lead Chaffee girls basketball to triumphant win over Kelly

CHAFFEE — The Chaffee Red Devils girls basketball team defeated the Kelly Hawks 63-30 on Thursday at Chaffee High School.

Carlyanne Cossou led the Red Devils with 28 points, while Bailey Robertson and Zoe Bentley added 19 and 12, respectively.

Paige Klipfel led the Hawks with 11 points, including three fourth-quarter 3-pointers.

The first quarter was all Chaffee as the Devils led 21-4 after eight minutes. Chaffee ran the Hawks ragged, while forcing turnover after turnover, scoring transition buckets at will.

The second quarter was a mirror image of the first as Chaffee took a 38-8 halftime lead. Midway through the third, the Red Devils pulled their starters and let the second team finish the game.

Chaffee head coach Keenan Elfrink said it was nice to get a win after the up-and-down week his team had. The Devils beat a tough Woodland team, but fell short in overtime to Scott County Central.

“We took care of business. I think we played hard, we were aggressive and we looked more offensive-minded. I thought we played one of our best games on Tuesday night, and then we played one of our worst games on Monday. To be able to bounce back is good for us,” Elfrink said. “Every kid gave toughness and effort tonight. Kelly has some kids out so that obviously hurts them, but I’m happy with how our kids executed offensively and guarded on defense.”

Chaffee has seven games left, including a third tough matchup with Delta and one against a very good district opponent in St. Vincent. Elfrink said he is confident in his team’s ability to improve in the short time it has before the postseason.

“We just need to get in the flow and rhythm of playing games. This is the first week we’ve had more than two games since before Christmas break,” Elfrink said. “Just to be able to get in flow and, understand, if we make mistakes in the game, we can come back to it in practice. This time of the year, we want to be playing our best ball and we still have some work to do.”

Chaffee traveled to Farmington to take on St. Paul Lutheran with Valle Catholic on Friday, while Kelly next hosts Sikeston at 6 p.m. Tuesday.