(December 19th, 2014) – WEST UNITY: The Lady Blackbirds are still undefeated after taking down Hilltop in West Unity on Friday, 50-31.
The Pettisville girls won with defense, as they disrupted the Lady Cadet shooters all night long. Hilltop shot just 17% from the floor, making only 7 field goals in the contest. The Blackbirds, on the other hand, connected on 42% of their field goals, knocking down 20 shots.
Shot selection was an issue as well for the Hilltop girls. Despite making 3 three-point shots, the team averaged 18% from behind the arc. This is due to the fact that they took 17 threes against the Pettisville defense. Granted they were struggling inside as well, shooting 15% on their two-point field goals, but the Cadets weren’t shooting anywhere near accurate enough to be taking that many long range shots. If the shots aren’t falling, then the players need to try and take more high percentage shots.
Of course, that’s easier said than done with Dana Fricke waiting in the post. The senior standout has played phenomenally on both sides of the ball, keeping the ball out of the paint as well as scoring when the Blackbirds have the ball. Against the Lady Cadets, she put up 18 points on 7 two-point field goals. Fricke also stepped outside to hit a three, showing off the range of her skill set.
Fellow Blackbird senior Mikala Avina scored 13 points in the game, making 2 three-point attempts along the way. Joydyn Pursel added 9 points in the win.
Cadet senior Destiny Denton led the Hilltop girls with 10 points, 7 of which the crafty veteran earned at the free throw line. Felicity Jackson was the next highest scorer with 5 points. Karissa Crisenbery totaled 4 points in addition to her 6 rebounds.
Other than Crisenbery, Hilltop had a hard time pulling down rebounds as well. They were beaten on the boards 26-15.
One thing the Lady Cadets excelled at was taking care of the basketball. And with the Lady Blackbirds looking to run down the floor, that’s quite an accomplishment. Pettisville turned the ball over just 6 times.
It was great defense that won this game for Pettisville. The Hilltop offense was at a loss as to what to do against them. This has been the case for every team that has stood across the court from the Blackbirds this year, save Wauseon, and there is no reason to expect anything different going forward into the season.