California hands Lady Pioneers first loss
Holly Tonini
West Greene’s McKenna Lampe (14) dribbles around California’s Jenna Miller during first half action of Monday’s Section 3-A game at West Greene High School.
West Greene’s Kaitlyn Rizor (10) is surrounded by California’s Bailey Vig (left) and Marissa Bitoni during Monday’s Section 3-A game at West Greene High School. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
Holly Tonini
The Lady Pioneers’ Kaitlyn Rizor (10) finds room to get around California’s Bailey Vig during Monday’s Section 3-A game at West Greene High School.
Holly Tonini
California’s Destiny Gudel (14) keeps the ball away from West Greene’s Mikhayla Post (3) during their Section 3-A game at West Greene High School on Dec. 21. The second-place Lady Trojans and third-place Lady Pioneers both trail first-place Jefferson-Morgan but are still in the hunt for the section title.
The visiting Lady Trojans needed to rally in the fourth quarter Monday night to keep their section winning streak alive at 28, and California did just that for a 53-48 victory at West Greene.
California (4-3) improves to 4-0 with its 28th-straight section victory. The Lady Pioneers lost for the first time this season, going to 3-1 in the section and 6-1 overall.
“It’s not easy, not this year. This was a good win on the road,” said California coach Chris Minerd. “It wasn’t our best game, but I’ll take it.”
California led 15-13 after the first quarter and 27-22 at halftime.
West Greene surged into the lead with an 11-5 advantage in the third quarter to set up the frenetic final eight minutes.
The Lady Trojans outscored West Greene in the final quarter, 21-15, for the 5-point victory.
“We led early in the fourth quarter, but they had a run, like a 5-point run,” said West Greene coach Jordan Watson.
Bailey Vig, who had a key steal late in the game, led California with 21 points. Marissa Bitonti had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jenna Miller added 11 points and nine steals, while Destiny Gudel grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lampe sisters once again led the way for West Greene, combining for 37 points. McKenna Lampe finished with a game-high 23 points, while her twin sister Madison added 14.
“We battled them. This is the first close game we’ve played this year,” explained Watson. “We start two freshman and play six freshman. We made a lot of freshman mistakes.
“California made the state playoffs last year. We battled them.”
The Lady Trojans will be hosting a holiday tournament next week, while West Greene is back in action tonight with a road game at Clay-Battelle (W.Va.).
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Jefferson-Morgan 69, Avella 27 — The Jefferson-Morgan girls remained undefeated in Section 3-A play with a 69-27 victory against visiting Avella.
The Lady Rockets improve to 4-0 in the section and 7-1 overall. Avella slips to 1-3 in the section and 2-5 overall.
Jefferson-Morgan led 22-10, 43-14 and 56-25 at the quarter breaks.
Kayla Yorko led the Lady Rockets with a game-high 14. Nikke Venick finished with 13 and Erin Confortini added 12.
Joelle Gossett scored eight for the Lady Eagles.
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Geibel Catholic 43, Mapletown 33 — The visiting Lady Gators pulled away in the third quarter and then held off Mapletown in the final eight minutes Monday night as Geibel Catholic returned home with a 43-33 victory in Section 3-A action.
Geibel Catholic (2-2, 3-4) led 10-9 after the first quarter and 16-15 at halftime before pulling away in the third quarter for a 30-17 lead. The Lady Maples (1-3, 1-7) held a 16-13 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Grace Nowicki scored a game-high 19 points for the Lady Gators. Sidney Anderson added 12.
Abby Antill led the Lady Maples with 12.
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Charleroi 55, Carmichaels 16 — The Lady Cougars’ defense shut out Carmichaels in the second quarter Monday night as Charleroi remained unbeaten with a 55-16 Section 4-AA win against the visiting Lady Mikes.
Charleroi (4-0, 7-0) led 12-4 after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 28-4 at halftime. The Lady Cougars outscored Carmichaels in the second half, 27-12.
Gina Ranieri led the Lady Mikes (2-2, 3-5) with 10 points.
Kaitlyn Riley scored a game-high 15 points for Charleroi. Maria Claybaugh finished with 14 and Kyra Watkins added 11.
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Waynesburg Central 45, Beth-Center 41 — Waynesburg Central controlled the second and fourth quarters Monday night as the Lady Raiders held on for a 45-51 Section 4-AA road victory at Beth-Center.
The Lady Raiders (2-2, 2-4) held a 25-11 advantage in the second and fourth quarters, while the Lady Bulldogs outscored the visitors, 30-20, in the other two quarters.
Rachel Elsenheimer led Waynesburg with 14 points. Morgan McDowell finished with 12 and Kirsten Garber added 11.
Mary Gustovich scored 14 for Beth-Center.
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Boys basketball
Hundred (W.Va.) 77, Mapletown 35 — Hundred (W.Va.) scored all the points it needed in the first half Monday night for a 77-35 non-section victory at Mapletown.
The visitors led 39-21 at halftime and extended its advantage to 65-27 through three quarters.
Holden Moore led Hundred with a game-high 41 points. Danny Stewart added 19.
Cody Dice led the Maples (0-7) with 13 points.