Simmons, No. 3 Holy Cross Knock Off No. 10 Arundel

Shontice Simmons made a three-pointer from the left side. Then the junior guard made another three, this one from the right wing, and thought to herself, "I have to keep this going while I have this adrenaline."

Simmons is in her first year as a starter for third-ranked Holy Cross, but she continues to blend in with Coach Russell Davis's aggressive style. On a team full of talented players, yesterday it was Simmons's turn to lead the way. Starting with the three-pointers in the opening minutes, she scored a career-high 25 points as the Tartans defeated 10th-ranked Arundel, 63-49, in the quarterfinals of the IAABO Board 134 Christmas Tournament at C.H. Flowers in Springdale.

"That's the best game she's played all around," Davis said. "She took advantage of the opportunities that she had. Arundel tried to key on Monica McNutt and that helped her out."

McNutt, a senior guard who has signed with Georgetown, scored 13 points. And though she is the only Holy Cross player to have accepted a college scholarship, Davis believes several others -- including Simmons -- will eventually play in college.

Yesterday, they had a chance to make an impression on recruiters. More than a dozen college coaches were in attendance, including Maryland Coach Brenda Frese, for a tournament considered one of the best in the Washington area.

No. 8 Largo and St. Frances -- the top-ranked team in Baltimore -- also are in the eight-team field, and Holy Cross (9-2) would like another shot at St. Frances.

"We're hoping they win and we win and we'll see where we are," Davis said, noting that three players, including Simmons, did not play in the Tartans' 65-51 loss to St. Frances on Dec. 20 because of a variety of ailments.

The Tartans' depth allows them to play an up-tempo style. Despite early fouls that had Arundel shooting the bonus in the first minute of the second quarter, Holy Cross never let up, forcing 28 turnovers. Offensively, Simmons was a force driving to the basket. She finished 11 of 17 from the field.

On defense, Davis "wants us to be up on players, don't let them breathe, don't let them rest," Simmons said. "On offense, he wants us to execute. If we execute, I don't think anyone can keep up with us."

Arundel fell to 3-3.

IAABO Christmas Tournament Board Work: Arundel sophomore center Simone Egwu shined in a losing effort, bringing down 17 rebounds to go with 10 points. Next Up: Holy Cross will play Bullis in a semifinal tonight at 6. Sophomore guard Alexandra Aust made a jumper in the closing seconds to lift the Bulldogs to a 45-44 victory over Potomac (Va.) in yesterday's first game.