Streak-busters
Jefferson-Morgan’s Kayla Yorko (14) drives past California’s Jenna Miller. Both players were named to the Herald-Standard All-Area girls basketball team.
Holly Tonini
Holly Tonini Jefferson-Morgan’s Erin Confortini (15) scores two against California’s Ina Helmick (11) during Monday’s Section 3-A contest at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Holly Tonini
Holly Tonini Californa’s Jenna Miller dribbles the ball down court past Jefferson-Morgan’s Morgan Simkovic (3) during Monday’s Section 3-A game at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Holly Tonini
Californa’s Ina Helmick (11) looks to make a pass around Jefferson-Morgan’s Jamie Lawerence (13) during Monday’s Section 3-A action at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
JEFFERSON — In a battle of Section 3-A unbeatens, the Jefferson-Morgan girls’ basketball squad used a balanced scoring attack and a tenacious defensive effort to outlast California, 44-33, Monday night, snapping the Lady Trojans’ section winning streak at 28 games.
California’s last section loss came on Feb. 7, 2013, against visiting Avella, 48-37.
Last season, three out of the Lady Rockets (10-1, 5-0) four losses came against rival California. The win gives J-M sole possession of first place in the section.
Kayla Yorko had a game-high 16 points for the Lady Rockets, while Erin Confortini and Nikki Venick tallied 10 apiece. Ally Bogden scored all eight of her points in the final eight minutes.
“It was an emotional game and we knew had to keep our composure,” Yorko said. “We brought the right confidence into the game and knew we could beat this team. If we rely on our fundamentals and take advantage of our depth, we could beat them. It’s a great win for us.”
The Lady Trojans (6-5, 4-1) struggled on offense to start the game and fell behind in the second half after a rally that got them back into the contest.
Bailey Vig scored 13 points for California, while Dominique Gaston chipped in with eight.
“We were flat to start the game and it’s a very disappointing thing for us,” California coach Chris Minerd said. “We didn’t attack on offense and Jefferson played good defense. We had stretches of good play and got them into foul trouble, but we couldn’t respond enough in the second half.”
J-M got off to a good start with a 9-5 lead at the end of one, courtesy of six points by Venick and an old-fashioned three-point play by Confortini.
“We had to grab the early momentum and play with a lead,” J-M coach Chris Niemiec said. “The three games last year against Cal we got off to rocky starts. When you are trailing someone it takes so much extra energy to get back into the game. So when you finally do comeback, your energy is so drained and it’s hard to continue that play.
“This is a big win for us. To take a quote from (pro wrestler Ric) Flair, ‘in order to be the man, you have to beat the man.’ Cal has been the top team in our section the last two years, so we knew if we wanted that top spot we had to beat them. We had to get over that hump.”
The Lady Rockets increased their lead to 17-5 to start the second quarter with eight consecutive points and forced the visitors to call a timeout.
The Lady Trojans rebounded with a 10-2 run to bring the deficit to 19-15 at halftime. Vig had four points in the spree, while Grace Roberts nailed a 3-pointer in the rally.
“Their players made shots and they were more balanced on offense,” Minerd said. “Trailing 17-5, I called a timeout and told them that we needed to refocus. We were tentative and had too many turnovers. That was a good stretch for us, but Jefferson wanted it more than us tonight.”
California took its first lead with six straight points to open the third period, but J-M regrouped with a 12-5 run.
The Lady Rockets made four treys in the game-deciding spree and Yorko had two shots from beyond the arc, including a buzzer-beating heave at the end of three to give J-M a 31-26 edge.
“We had good ball movement tonight,” Yorko said. “I got a couple of threes to go in for me. The last three in the third quarter was a scramble for the ball and I knew as soon as I let it go it was going to be in. That was a big momentum shift for us.”
After picking up her third foul early in the first half, J-M’s Bogden came back into the game and collected her team’s first eight points of the fourth quarter.
“We wanted it more and we knew it was a big game for us,” Bogden said. “Cal is a big rival and this is a huge win. I injured my shoulder earlier in the year and it’s hard for me to raise my arm above my head. I shot with my left hand and I knew I had to step up in the fourth quarter.”
Yorko made a lay-up with 1:40 left in the contest and added a free throw in the final minute to secure the section triumph for the Lady Rockets.
“We had a good inside-outside game, but our defense was the difference maker,” Niemiec said. “Cal is a good outside shooting team and we knew we had to limit their shots. We did a good job of switching off their picks and playing help-defense.”
Both teams will be back in action on Thursday, as J-M travels to West Greene and California hosts Fort Cherry.