Chaps head coach Abby Talley chalked up Thursday's game over visiting Malcolm X a lesson in preparation and focus.
 
In other words, it was a success.
 
More than two weeks after the Chaps suffered a 30-plus point loss on the road to the Hawks, COD returned the favor with their 69-63 win in Region 4 play.
 
"Good things happen when you play with better preparation and more focus,'' she said. "We hit some 3s and shared the ball very well.''
 
COD scored 10 of its 25 field goals from 3-point land, and they dealt 20 assists in a game the Chaps led by as many as 18 points for their best effort of 2022-23.
 
Mykah Berkompas led the Chaps (2-8 overall) with 17 points and Sierra Gibson had 16. Others in double figures were Alyssa Havard (13) and Katlyn Allen (10).
 
The Chaps never trailed built their large on Morgan Nesemier's two free throws for a 49-31 lead with 7:05 left in the third.
 
The Hawks narrowed the gap to five on two occasions, but Gibson and Allen answered back with field goals of their own and COD led 69-60 with 49 seconds left.
 
"We had confidence with our outside shooting,'' Talley said. "You can practice and coach 'em, but ultimately they have to hit shots.''
 
Gibson's six steals led the Chaps, who finished 14 on the night. That number offset the Hawks' rebounding edge (47-33).
 
"Sierra kept her focus and we fed off it,'' Talley said. "And Morgan hit four 3s.''
 
Allen earned a double-double with 10 rebounds.