Early run carries Cal girls to 61-39 victory
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
California’s Jenna Miller (3) dashes around Frazier’s Jovanna Isaac (5) on her way to the hoop Monday during Section 3-AA play at California Area High School.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Brooke Poling (4) tries to get off a shot, but is covered by California’s Jenna Miller (3) in Section 3-AA action Monday at California Area High School.
California's Love' Porter (4) shoots between a pair of Frazier defenders in Monday's Section 3-AA game at California Area High School.
California's Doninique Gaston (22) looks for an opening to shoot the ball during Monday's Section 3-AA game at California Area High School.
Frazier's Brooke Poling sends the ball to the hoop for two during Section 3-A action against California Monday at California Area High School.
California's Marissa Bitonti (21) tries to stop Frazier's Hannah Fell from shooting during Monday's Section 3-AA game at California Area High School.
CALIFORNIA — California raced out to a 20-0 lead as it hit 11 of its first 14 shots and never looked back in its 61-39 Section 3-AA win over Frazier Monday night.
The contest was supposed to be a showdown for second place in Section 3-AA.
California coach Chris Minerd was pleased with the outcome, while Frazier coach Ken Poling voiced his disappointment.
“The run to start the game was the key,” said Minerd. “Our press was working really well and we took advantage of it.”
“I don’t know if the girls were nervous, but we didn’t come to play,” Poling said, adding, “And, when Brooke Poling (Frazier’s leading scorer) doesn’t come, we are in trouble.
“We played good last week, but tonight, I don’t know, we struggled breaking their press, didn’t play good defense, and everyone had to look in the mirror and put this behind us.”
Brooke Poling only made 3-of-14 attempts from the floor.
Down 22-2 after the first quarter, Frazier missed a chance to really cut into California’s lead as the Lady Trojans went cold to start the second quarter.
Dominique Gaston scored California’s first basket of the quarter with 4:10 to go in the half, but Frazier was only able to score four points in the quarter up until that point.
“We had taken off the press, but then we couldn’t score,” Minerd said. “So we went back to it halfway through the second quarter.”
It worked for California as the Lady Trojans went on an 11-4 run to extend the lead to 35-16 at halftime.
Frazier got no closer than 16 points in the second half, and Minerd was able to get his younger players plenty of time in the fourth quarter.
“One thing that I told my players that I was disappointed in was that we got out to a 22-2 lead (after the first quarter) and won by 22,” he said. “They played even with us the rest of the way and I keep preaching consistency.
“We get big leads and I think the girls started to think too much and I am still looking for that four-quarter game.”
Gaston led three California players in double figures with 20 points, a career-high, while Love’ Porter (12) and Bailey Vig (11) were the others.
“Dominique did a great job inside,” Minerd said. “She converted her shots and played an overall solid game.”
Jenna Miller recorded a career-high 12 assists for California and added eight points, five steals, and five assists, while Hannah Fell led Frazier with 11 points.
Miller also played defense on Brooke Poling.
“We knew coming in that (Poling) was their leading scorer,” Minerd said. “Jenna did a great job on her and with running the floor.”
Frazier is at Uniontown for an non-section game Wednesday, while both teams return to section play Thursday as Frazier is at Beth-Center and California hosts Serra Catholic.