WEST SUNBURY, Pa. (EYT/D9) — Catherine Kelly continued her torrid start to the season with 16 points and Moniteau’s defense put the clamps on North Clarion in the second half on the way to a 44-25 victory on Friday night.
(Pictured above, Catherine Kelly)
The Warriors (5-1) led 30-18 at the half and held the Wolves to just seven points over the final two quarters.
Sophia Fleeger and Cheyenne Curl each scored eight points for Moniteau.
Abbey Jewart added six rebounds and four steals and Kendall Sankey had five assists.
Kelly also had six steals for Moniteau.
Lily Homan led North Clarion with 13 points.
FOREST 38, UNION/A-C VALLEY 35
Kaylie Rooke was at it again with 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots as the Fires edged Union/A-C Valley.
Jayden Colvin added nine points for Forest.
Kya Wetzel and Maddy Dehart each scored nine points to pace Union/A-C Valley.
KEYSTONE 37, CLARION-LIMESTONE 36
The Keystone girls basketball team held just four leads in the game, but their last lead came on an Ashlee Albright steal and layup with 1:25 remaining for a one-point lead over Clarion-Limestone that held up on Friday night.
The Panthers would be able to hold the ball for the majority of the remaining time with C-L not being able to pick up enough fouls to send Keystone to the free throw line. However, the Lions did get a pair of five-second counts in the closing seconds, giving possession to C-L.
After a timeout, the Lions got a pass inbounds and a pass to Jenna Dunn, whose shot fell short giving Keystone the victory.
“We had an opportunity at the end,” said C-L head coach Gus Simpson. “But, with three seconds left it’s a little tough when you don’t have that seasoned group to try and set up a good shot. We’re still learning.”
Hannah Beggs and Dunn each collected a double-double for C-L. Beggs scored 15 points with 10 rebounds while Dunn finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Albright scored 12 points for Keystone while Ava Patrick scored 10 points. Emma Gruber chipped in with seven points.
“We’re young and that’s the learning curve with outcomes like tonight,” said Simpson. “It’s part of having a young team that we’ll have to experience the highs and lows although it is something that will pay off down the road.”
Things started well for C-L (0-5) as the Lions led 7-2 after one quarter. Keystone (2-3) finished 0-for-11 from the field in the opening quarter.
The Lions would build their largest lead of the game at 15-6 following a three-pointer by Beggs with 3:21 remaining in the first half. Keystone would close the quarter on a 7-2 run to trail 17-13 at halftime.
Albright and Isabella Brandon each hit a 3-pointer during the final run.
A 9-4 run by Keystone to open the third quarter would give the Panthers a 22-21 lead, their first since 2-1 early in the contest. C-L would respond with a 5-0 run on a free throw by Dunn and a pair of short jumpers by Kalyssa Ferguson and Beggs for a 26-22 lead with 1:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Keystone would score the next four points before Dunn would give C-L a 28-26 lead after three quarters.
A 3-pointer at the 4:15 mark of the fourth by Emma Gruber would give Keystone a 33-32 lead. A pair of baskets by Raegan Love and Samantha Simpson would put C-L up 36-33 with 2:17 to play.
However, Brandon would score ahead of the steal and layup by Albright for the 37-36 lead.
“We took a big step forward tonight even though the scoreboard doesn’t show it,” said Simpson. “I’m proud of how we hung in there. We led for most of the game. If we continue to do the little things, we’ll continue to get better.”
(Steve Smail contributed to this report)
