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By Nate Gutshall

Last updated: Saturday, December 1, 2007 2:05 AM EST

Sentinel Correspondent

sportsdoor@cumberlink.com

Most teams hope to begin a season playing solid defense until their offense can catch up after playing in a couple games.

Things were a little backwards for the Carlisle girl’s basketball team. The Herd got the offense going right away in the opening game of the season -- the annual Carlisle Tip-off Tournament.

The Herd shot out of the gates highlighting their new run and gun style of play that if nothing else is extremely fun to watch.

Carlisle now plays Mechanicsburg in the finals at 6 tonight.

The first 3-pointers were sunk by Ally Brehm and Lanay Harris. Brehm, who was not afraid to chuck it up from anywhere on the court Friday night, hit four times from long range.

“We want to run,” said Carlisle coach Jay Bavlish. “Aggressive is our new style. We have to learn to be aggressive, but not foolish.”

Northeastern got two early layups from Jessica King to keep the in the game close at 16-1.

But as the pattern was most of the night, every time the Bobcats got close, Carlisle made a shot or got to the foul line. This time it was impressive sophomore point guard Senada Mehmedovic nailing the 3-pointer to lengthen the lead to nine at 19-10.

“This was a great game to coach,” said Bavlish. “It was also a little frustrating because of all the fouls.”

Things slowed down a little in the second quarter as both teams struggled shooting. Northeastern was the first team to go on a run. The Bobcats got the score to 26-23 with a trey by Amber Lau.

The other Lau -- Autumn -- then tied it at 27 with layup and foul shot. But Carlisle fired back out as Katie O’Brien hit a jumper and Mehmedovic nailed another three making it 32-27. Bream added in another trey, however Northeastern stayed close with a field goal from Autumn Lau and a three-point-play from Amber Lau. The score at the half was 48-39.

Carlisle continued to pump up the long-range shots in the third quarter as Bream made two treys, the second of which looked to be from NBA distance.

“It was amazing tonight,” said Brehm. “The threes just felt right.”

The fourth quarter was a bit controversial as several players fouled out including Autumn Lau and Senada Mehmedovic. Northeastern Coach Mike Drenchko was also ejected after receiving his second technical of the game. While the Thudering Herd kept their high-pace plan in place, they seemed to try to pound the ball inside a bit more to another impressive sophomore forward Ashley Corum.

Corum responded by getting to the line twelve times in the second half and pacing the Herd attack. Also stepping up for the Herd was senior point guard Julia Filiberti who subbed well for the fouled out Mehmedovic. “I sat on the bench some in the first half, but I wanted to keep positive,” said Corum. “We played much faster than last year. This was a great way to start the season.”

The Herd went on to make enough free throws down the stretch to finish with a 85-77 victory.

Finishing in double figures for the Herd were Mehmedovic (18), Corum (17), Brehm (13), and Filiberti (10). “The bench was huge,” said Bavlish. “Julia really stepped up when Senada fouled out. That is what we preach, a total team effort.”