HOLLIDAYSBURG – The Lady Tigers of Hollidaysburg (13-0) were able to remain undefeated as they defended home court and picked up a season sweep over the Lady Bison of Clearfield (5-8) by a final score of 70-22.
Hollidaysburg got off to a scorching start shooting the basketball as the team put up 26 points in the opening quarter as six different players were able to get in the scoring column. Marin Miller was a big part of the hot start for the home team as she scored seven of her game-high 23 points in the opening period.
“We gave up too many points in the first quarter,” said Lady Bison Head Coach Missy Helsel. “I will say that in the first few minutes of the game, we did a nice job breaking the press and played some good defense for a few possessions. All in all, Hollidaysburg is a very sound basketball team. They’ve gotten better over the season.”
Hollidaysburg picked up where they left off in the second quarter as they were able to score 23 more points, including six from Alison Hatajik in the period who was the other Lady Tiger to score in double-figures in the contest with 16 points.
The Lady Tigers’ press was something that contributed to their fast start and Helsel detailed some of the team’s struggles offensively.
“We had trouble with their press as the game went on. We had some turnovers and missed layups which makes a big difference when we were trying to trade scores.”
At the half, the score stood at a 49-13 advantage for the Lady Tigers, but they did not let up as they outscored Clearfield 15-2 in the third to extend their lead 64-15 going into the final quarter.
The final quarter tightened up a bit as the Lady Bison outscored Hollidaysburg 7-6 as Riley Ryen, Alayna Winters, and Cayleigh Walker each sunk field goals for Clearfield in the period.
Walker led the way in scoring for Clearfield with seven points and was followed up by Ryen who had five tallies. Rounding out the scoring for the Lady Bison was Winters with four, Emma Hipps with three points, and Hannah Glunt who connected on a free-throw in the second quarter.
“I think something we have to do a better job of realizing when we have a turnover and they turn it into two points that it is a swing in points and momentum. Once we realize that and cut down on some of those, I think we will have a much better outcome.”
The Lady Bison will not have to wait long to get back on track as they travel to face District 9 opponent St. Marys at St. Marys Area High School Friday evening (January 21) for a game slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
“We know what we need to do better tomorrow night,” Helsel said. “We will put this game behind us and will learn from those mistakes. We need to take care of the basketball and put a little bit of pressure on them (St. Marys). We also have to make sure we are taking care of the rebounding on our end and getting everyone involved offensively.
HOLLIDAYSBURG – 70
Camryn Figard 2 0-0 4, Marin Miller 10 3-3 23, Alison Hatajik 8 0-0 16, Sydney Lear 2 0-0 6, Ashden Stitt 0 0-0 0, Hannah DiPangrazio 1 0-0 2, Drew Kordish 0 0-0 0, Sam Shoemaker 1 1-2 3, Isabella Yohn 2 0-0 4, Bella Vent 3 2-3 8, Alissa Heim 0 0-0 0, Emerson Frazier 0 0-0 0, Alexis Peacock 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Lenhart 1 0-0 2, Emma Hayer 0 0-0 0, Sarita Contreras 0 2-2 2, Lauren Stevenson, 0 0-0 0, Abigail Steiner, 0 0-0 0, TOTALS 30 8-10 70.
CLEARFIELD – 22
Emma Hipps 1 1-3 3, McKenna Lanager 0 0-0 0, Riley Ryen 0 2-2 5, Cayleigh Walker 3 1-4 7, Alayna Winters 2 0-0 4, Hannah Glunt 0 1-2 1, Lauryn Kitchen 0 2-2 2, Kayla Reed 0 0-0 0, TOTALS 6 7-13 22.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
HOLLIDAYSBURG 26 23 15 6 70.
CLEARFIELD 8 5 2 7 22.
THREE-POINTERS: HOLLIDAYSBURG – None CLEARFIELD – 1 Ryen 1