Lady Mikes cruise to 53-34 win over Monessen
Holly Tonini
Carmichaels’ Kristina Aeschbacher (22) scores the first two points of the game against Monessen during the opening round of the Lady Trojans Holiday Tournament Monday at California High School.
Carmichaels' Natalie McNett (23) keeps the ball away from Monessen's Natalia Holmes (23) in the opening round of the Lady Trojans Holiday Tournament played at California Area High School on Monday.
Holly Tonini
Carmichaels’ Megan Walker (4) works the ball around Monessen’s Natalia Holmes (23) during Monday’s opening round of the Lady Trojans Holiday Tournament at California Area High School.
Holly Tonini
Monessen’s Andrea Kroll (1) maneuvers the ball away from Carmichaels’ Jaclyn Barnish (15) and Natalie McNett (23) during the Lady Trojans Holiday Tournament at California Area High School.
COAL CENTER — The Carmichaels girls basketball squad was in double figures for the first three quarters and carried the play in the opening rouind of the Lady Trojan Holiday Tournament with a 53-34 triumph over Monessen Monday night.
The Lady Mikes (4-5) take on host California tonight at 7:30 p.m.
“We started off slow and we told the girls to stick with it,” Carmichaels coach Dan Happe said. “We got some turnovers and got some easy buckets. With those transition hoops, it added to our overall shooting confidence. This was one of our better offensive games of the season.”
Gina Ranieri scored a team-high 18 points for Carmichaels, while Kristina Aeschbacher scored 10 of her 12 points in the opening eight minutes.
“Kristina does so much for us on both ends,” Happe said. “She got going in the first quarter and was really controlling the boards. Her defense is very impressive and she is our anchor. She probably averages around five blocks a game and cleans up a lot of our miscues in the paint.”
Natalie Holmes compiled a team-high 18 points for the Lady Greyhounds (1-7), while LashaundriaGillaspie chipped in with eight in the loss.
“It was sloppy for both teams and we couldn’t jell on offense in the first half,” Monessen coach Gina Naccarato said. “They made a run in the first quarter and we couldn’t respond to it. We had no flow on offense and we were scrambling around too much.”
The Lady Mikes started the contest with a 6-0 lead and closed out the first quarter on a 10-4 run.
After the teams traded baskets to start the second period, Carmichaels got separation with a 12-0 run that was capped off by a trey from Kaitlyn Wilson and a free throw by Jessica Phillips.
Carmichaels held a 32-12 lead at intermission.
The Lady Mikes began the third quarter with a 9-2 run and held a 13-8 edge in the period to increase their lead to 45-20 at the end of three.
Ranieri had 12 points in the second half for Carmichaels.
“Gina doesn’t play like a freshman,” Happe said. “She has a nose for the ball and is not afraid to take a shot on offense. She is like a bull on the court and she is really tough. She is probably one of the best shooters on our team and plays the high-post very well.”
Monessen rebounded in the final eight minutes and outscored Carmichaels, 14-8, but it was a little too late for the Lady Greyhounds.
“We got it going in the second half and we calmed down a little on offense,” Naccarato said. “We made some adjustments at halftime and we have to continue to work. We are young in a lot of spots and we just have to build that confidence.”