Fast break: Lady Gators sprint to 63-21 victory over Carmichaels
JEFFERSON – The Geibel Catholic girls controlled the opening tip, the first quarter and the entire game Saturday morning for a 63-21 victory against Carmichaels in the second day of the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament hosted by Jefferson-Morgan.
The Lady Gators’ fast start was fueled by layups created by fullcourt pressure defense, leading to a 33-4 lead after the first quarter.
Emma Larkin scored 11 of her game-high 26 points in the first eight minutes. Ava Henderson added nine points on baskets off the transition and Mallory Clemmer contributed six points in the paint.
Clemmer finished with 10 points and Janiah Darnell added eight.
Carmichaels opened the game in a box-and-1 against Emma Larkin, but was forced to call off the defense with the points spread around the Geibel lineup.
“I like the unselfishness. We have a good group that works together well. They don’t care who scores. They just want to score,” explained Sara Larkin. “They came out in a box-and-1, and we knew they were going to, but it didn’t hurt us. It didn’t hurt us because we have enough bodies to score.
“Eventually they had to pull out of that.”
Sara Larkin called off the pressure defense in the second quarter and the move seemed to slow the Lady Gators down as the Lady Mikes clawed back for an 11-10 deficit in the quarter and a 44-14 halftime score.
“We slowed down, relaxed and played sloppy,” said Sara Larkin. “I think it’s a mental game. We have to do a better job of playing our game, no matter what.
“It’s tough to play against a zone, but we’re mature enough we should be able to play against anything.”
The second half was played under a running clock with the mercy rule invoked. The Lady Gators (2-0) held an 18-11 advantage in the final 16 minutes.
Six of the eight players scored for Geibel.
“A game like this was a good opportunity to get everyone in and get some confidence,” added Sara Larkin.
Geibel has a quick turnaround with a non-section game Monday at Southmoreland.
“Just the unselfish play is the takeaway from the weekend,” said Sara Larkin. “The zone offenses we have to get better at executing. There’s not enough movement. The rebounding was better today, but was inconsistent. The boxing out was spotty.
“The biggest thing for Monday’s game is that we have to box out better and be ready for that zone.”
Blake Conard learned a few things just two games into his first-year as Carmichaels’ head coach.
“I learned we have a lot to work on and good stuff to work on. We have very strong, experienced bigs. We just have to find a way to get them the ball,” said Conard. “We have a lot of young girls. We need confidence.”
Ali Jacobs hit double figures for the Lady Mikes (0-2) with 11 points. Duski Staggers (6) and Ke’Lani Chun (4) accounted for the remainder of the offense.
“We have some good practices coming this week,” said Conard, adding, “We need to get the ball moving. Everyone should get some touches, quick passes and finish around the hoop.”
West Greene 54, Jefferson-Morgan 18 – The Lady Pioneers scored 20 points in the first quarter on their way to a victory over the host team of the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament.
West Greene (2-0) led 20-4, 30-6 and 42-12 at the quarter breaks.
Kendra Tharp paced West Greene with 12 points. Marissa Tharp and Madelyn Roberts both scored 11 points.
Jefferson-Morgan slips to 0-2 after the opening weekend of the season.
Beth-Center 51, Ligonier Valley 19 – The Lady Bulldogs led 35-16 at halftime for a victory over the Lady Rams in the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament.
Violet Trump led the way for Beth-Center (1-1) with a game-high 14 points. Sydnee Foust scored seven points for Ligonier Valley (1-1).
Friday’s Games
Geibel Catholic 55, Jefferson-Morgan 42 – Emma Larkin and Mallory Clemmer combined for 39 points in a victory over the host team on the first night of the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament.
Larkin scored a game-high 21 points for the Lady Gators. Clemmer added 18.
Bailey Cervone led the Lady Rockets with 13 points.
Ligonier Valley 41, Carmichaels 20 – The Lady Rams pulled away in the middle two quarters for a victory over Carmichaels.
Ligonier Valley led 7-5 after the first quarter and extended its lead with a 25-7 advantage over the next 16 minutes.
Sydnee Foust scored a game-high 15 points for Ligonier Valley. Adleigh Myers added nine points.
Ali Jacobs paced the Lady Mikes with 10 points.
West Greene 46, Beth-Center 40 – Beth-Center led 25-24 at halftime after trailing 14-2 in the first quarter, but West Greene recovered in the second half for a victory over the Lady Bulldogs.
Kendra Tharp scored 17 points and Madelyn Roberts added 13 for West Greene.
Violet Trump led Beth-Center with a game-high 20 points. Callie Dorsey contributed 10 points.