Trailing its county rival after the first quarter, Eisenhower kept its composure.
The Lady Knights responded by outscoring Youngsville 31-4 over the final three quarters during a dominating 33-11 victory Thursday at Youngsville High School.
Entering the game a heavy favorite, Eisenhower could only watch as the Eagles stormed out of the gate, taking a 7-5 advantage into the second quarter. The early Eagles surge was perhaps more surprising considering that Youngsville was playing without one of its leading scorers in Lindsey Lyon.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg
Peekin’ in
Mercyhurst Prep’s Lauren Aronica (12) looks through Warren’s Taylor Mineweaser (23) during their Region 6 girls basketball game Thursday at Warren Area High School.
However, the Knights picked up the pace both offensively and defensively in the second quarter and the early deficit was quickly ancient history.
"We played much better on defense after the first quarter and started to adjust to the box in one (Youngsville) was playing (on Ike leading scorer Lauren Blanco)," said Eisenhower coach Dave Allenson. "The girls didn't panic even though they were down early. They just stayed calm and got the job done."
While Eisenhower rallied to grab a five-point lead by halftime, the game remained close early in the third quarter. A quick 7-0 run by the Lady Knights changed that and the rout was on.
Lauren Blanco again led the Knights' offensive attack with 11 points. Twin sister Ally Blanco added six points and Brooke Stanton finished with five. Blanco added six rebounds and Lauren Sherry contributed five boards and four assists.
For Youngsville, Amber Fox and Jorie Clark finished with five points each.
Eisenhower (8-11) returns to action Saturday when it hosts Titusville. Youngsville (6-12) is at Conneaut Lake Monday.
The Eagles did gain a measure of revenge in the junior varsity game, winning 21-16. Cierra Ohl led the winners with nine points while Stanton scored six points for Ike in defeat.
EISENHOWER (33): Lyssa Knapp 0 0-2 0, Lauren Blanco 4 3-3 11, Courtney Flynn 1 0-0 2, Halie VanOrd 2 0-1 4, Alyssa Peterson 1 0-0 2, Ally Blanco 2 1-2 6, Kearsten Maine 0 1-2 1, Bailey Burch 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Parmenter 0 0-0 0, Danielle Bradish 0 0-0 0, Brooke Stanton 2 1-4 5, Lauren Sherry 1 0-0 2, Totals: 13 6-14 33
YOUNGSVILLE (11): Katie Gustafson 0 0-0 0, Katelyn Maille 0 1-2 1, Jorie Clark 2 0-0 5, Cierra Ohl 0 0-0 0, Katie Chuzie 0 0-0 0, Jessica Jameson 0 0-0 0, Jenna Bower 0 0-0 0, Elise Dunn 0 0-0 0, Vicky Hagg 0 0-0 0, Amber Fox 1 3-4 5, Totals: 3 4-9 11
Eisenhower 5 9 9 10 - 33
Youngsville 7 2 1 1 - 11
3-pointers: E-A. Blanco; Y- Clark
Junior varsity game
EISENHOWER (16): Courtney Flynn 2 0-0 4, Kearsten Maine 0 0-0 0, Emmaleigh Hishman 0 0-0 0, Bailey Burch 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Parmenter 0 0-0 0, Danielle Bradish 2 0-2 4, Ashley Barnett 1 0-0 2, Brooke Stanton 2 1-4 6, Totals: 7 1-6 16
YOUNGSVILLE (21): Elise Dunn 3 0-2 6, Cierra Ohl 3 3-8 9, Vicky Hagg 0 0-2 0, Kelsey Anderson 0 0-0 0, Jenna Bower 0 0-0 0, Jessica Jameson 1 1-2 3, Jorie Clark 0 0-0 0, Katelyn Maille 0 3-11 3, Katie Gustafson 0 0-0 0, Totals: 7 7-25 21
Eisenhower 3 1 8 4 - 16
Youngsville 3 2 5 11 - 21
3-pointers: E-Stanton; Y-None
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Mercyhurst Prep 65, Warren 34
Missed opportunities.
Warren's girls basketball team had an opportunity to stay close to Mercyhurst Prep early, but the Lakers - in first place in Region 6 and ranked second in the state - ran away from the Dragons for a 65-34 victory at Warren Area High School.
The Dragons (11-8 overall, 4-7 and in fifth place Region 6) were able to pick apart the Lakers' full-court pressure defense early in the first quarter, but mistakes, namely errant passes and missed shots, kept them off the scoreboard. 'Hurst (16-2, 11-0) was able to get some things going offensively late in the period and had staked a 19-6 lead at the end of one.
"Little mistakes and little mental breakdowns aren't going to hurt you (as bad) against the average team," said Warren coach Lisa Ruhlman. "You can't make mistakes like that against Prep. You make mistakes like that against Prep and you'll find yourself down 13 before you know it."
Warren came out playing solid defense to start the second quarter, and got 'Hurst in foul trouble early. The Dragons couldn't take advantage as they missed five straight free throws and weren't able to close the gap. The Lakers ended the half on a 13-3 run to take a 34-13 lead into the locker room.
The Lakers showed why they are one of the top Class AAA teams in the state in the second half as they took control early in the third quarter and quickly pushed the lead to 29 at 49-20. The Dragons were able to get some good looks at the basket, but the shots just wouldn't fall.
Warren tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, holding 'Hurst scoreless through the first four minutes. The Dragons found themselves in foul trouble though and the Lakers hit almost every free throw to keep the game out of reach. Jaimie Eaton led the Dragons with 10 points. Sabrina Anderson added nine and Kristin Hultquist chipped in with two points and 13 rebounds.
"A lot of girls got to play and got some experience," Ruhlman said. "The next three games are it, though."
Prep won the junior varsity game, 52-21. Kaitlin Ishman led Warren with eight.
MERCYHURST PREP (65): Berctold 6 4-6 16, Holland 4 1-2 9, Wilwohl 3 0-0 7, B. Robbins 3 0-0 6, Burke 3 0-0 6, Woll 2 2-3 6, A. Robbins 2 0-0 4, Stamp 1 0-0 2, Fournier 1 0-0 2, Chrzanowski 1 0-0 2, Aronica 1 0-0 2, Hedderick 1 0-0 2, Kupniewski 0 1-2 1, Totals 28 8-13 65
WARREN (34): Jaimie Eaton 4 1-4 10, Sabrina Anderson 4 1-2 9, Emily Sherman 1 4-4 6, Taylor Mineweaser 2 0-0 5, Kristin Hultquist 0 2-2 2, Justine Fox 1 0-0 2, Kristie Reynolds 0 0-2 0, Lauren Frazier 0 0-1 0, Kaitlin Ishman 0 0-0 0, McKenzie Merenick 0 0-0 0, Sam Bevevino 0 0-0 0, Paige Rimer 0 0-0 0, Totals 12 8-15 34
Mercyhurst Prep 19 15 19 12 - 65
Warren 6 7 9 12 - 34
3-pointers: M-Wilwohl; W-Eaton, Mineweaser
Junior varsity game
MERCYHURST PREP (52): Chrzanowski 6 2-4 14, Moore 4 2-2 11, Bizjak 3 2-3 8, Linden 2 1-2 5, Harden 2 1-1 5, Dailey 2 0-2 4, Wall 1 1-4 3, Wilson 1 0-0 2, Winschel 0 0-0 0, Galleher 0 0-0 0, Wieczorek 0 0-0 0, Shopeme 0 0-0 0, Totals 21 9-18 52
WARREN (21): Kaitlin Ishman 3 2-4 8, Brittni Merenick 2 1-4 5, Justine Fox 0 3-4 3, Paige Rimer 0 2-2 2, McKenzie Merenick 0 1-5 1, Nerissa McIntyre 0 0-2 0, Sam Bevevino 0 0-0 0, Totals 5 11-24 21
Mercyhurst Prep 8 19 10 15 - 52
Warren 5 7 1 8 - 21
3-pointers: M-Moore; W-none
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DuBois Central Catholic 70, Sheffield 9
DUBOIS - DuBois Central Catholic cruised to a 70-9 victory over Sheffield on Thursday.
The Lady Wolverines (2-19) were paced by Abby Labesky who scored four points.
Sheffield wraps up the 2010-11 campaign on Monday when it welcomes Kane to Sheffield Area School.
Additional varsity game details as well as junior varsity information was not reported to the Times Observer.
SHEFFIELD (9): Hannah Vile 0 1-2 1, Kristie Steffan 0 0-0 0, Ashley Davidson 0 0-0 0, Abby Labesky 1 2-4 4, Julie Ely 1 0-0 2, Brittany Summers 0 0-0 0, Lacey Bjorkquist 0 0-0 0, Kerrin Swartz 1 0-2 2, Hanna Fitch 0 0-0 0, Sammi Pollock 0 0-0 0, Totals: 3 3-8 9
DCC (70): Marchoni 5 3-4 13, Gulvas 7 1-2 15, Fitzer 4 0-0 8, Witherow 7 0-0 16, Hopkins 7 0-0 14, Snyder 2 0-0 4, Totals: 32 4-6 70
Sheffield 1 5 1 2 - 9
DCC 20 25 19 6 - 70
3-pointers: S-None; D-Witherow 2