First Posted: 1/13/2013
With two wins this week, a 2-point thriller, 49-47,over Dallas at home on Monday and a 26-point win over Tunkhannock in Tunkhannock on Thursday, the Lady Patriots are one of five teams with 3-1 records in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 two weeks into the schedule.
In Monday’s game the Lady Mounts, who came in 2-0, were hot shooting from the outside in the first half, when they led by as many as 14 and then 10, 33-23, at the break.
In the second half PA played much better, and a different, defense and the Lady Mounts scored only six in the third.
We changed up the defense during halftime, coach Kathy Healey said. We took away outside, pressuring them on the perimeter. They were hitting a lot of outside shots in beginning. The girls are smart. We try different defenses and they enjoy mixing it up.
The defense worked and the LPs applied the pressure without fouling. Dallas got to the line for only six attempts, making three. That was as many as PA made in 17 attempts. Though the foul shooting could be better overall, Healey said the 3-of-17 was an aberration not a trend.
They did improve in Thursday’s game hitting 9-of-17 against Tunkhannock.
The LPs only loss was to Hazleton, who lost to Dallas, indicating how super competitive the division is. Coughlin (0-4) is the only team having a down season. Even Tunkhannock (1-3) can be tough. They shoot well especially at home. They hit eight threes against PA Thursday.
Every game is crucial, Healey said. Anybody could beat anybody on any give day. The league is wide open.
Against Dallas Mia Hopkins,15; Liz Waleski and Eastin Ashby, 12 each, and Allie Barber, 10 scored all 49 of PA’s points
Dallas hit eight threes, seven in the first half. PA made two, both by Waleski.
Hopkins scored a game-high 21 points for the Patriots Thursday in Tunkhannock. Waleski scored 18; Allie Barber, 17 and Eastin Ashby, 12.
Maegan Wrubel led Tunkhannock with 15 points with four threes.
Jackie Rabender, 6; and Jamie Chisdock, 2 also scored for PA.
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Lake-Lehman used two big runs – 10-0 to start the game and 18-6 in the third — Thursday in Exeter in a D-2 game. The Warriors got close twice, 15-13 late in the second quarter and 27-22 on a jumper by Ashley Blannett in the third.
Serra Degnan led the WA scoring with 8, hitting two threes. Abby Thornton scored 5; Nicole Wright, 6 and Nicole Turner, 4 with one three.
The Warriors hit only 3-of-12 free throws.
Cayle Spencer, a sophomore, scored 26 for LL.
Wyoming Area used a 14-4 second quarter to take control in a crossover game on Monday at D3 Hanover.
Degnan went 13-of-14 from the foul line on her way to a game-high 19 points WA. Thornton scored 13. Emily Wolfgang scored 6; and Nicole Turner, 7.
The win was the Warriors first in WVC games. They are 1-2.
Monday
WA at Meyers
PA at Crestwood
Thursday
Valley West at PA
Holy Redeemer at WA
Division 1…WVC…Overall
Pittston Area 3-1…11-1
Hazleton …3-1… 7-3
Dallas …3-1… 6-2
Valley West …3-1…8-4
Crestwood …3-1…7-4
Berwick …1-3…7-5
Tunkhannock… 0-4…5-7
Coughlin …0-4…0-12
Division 2…WVC…Overall
Nanticoke …3-0…7-5
Lake Lehman …2-1…6-4
Holy Redeemer …2-1…5-4
Wyoming Area …1-2…3-8
Meyers… 1-2…5-5