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Valley girls run past Blue Dons

REACHING OUT — Madonna’s Gia Riccadonna grabs the basketball away from Madison Arnolds of Valley. The Lumberjills beat the Blue Dons, 62-29, on Thursday at the Bill Barrett Gymnasium. (Matthew Peaslee)

WEIRTON — The Valley Lumberjills clamped on a full court press that created 23 first half Madonna turnovers and they ran away from the Blue Dons by a score of 62-29 in the Bill Barrett Gymnasium on Thursday.

Coach Jeff Derby’s veteran club backed off the full court pressure in the second half, but still forced a total of 32 Madonna turnovers in the game and featured a balanced scoring attack with nine girls getting into the scoring act and four of them scorching the nets for double figures.

“That’s the way we want to play,” said Derby, who is in his third season as Valley head coach. “We want to pressure, take three-point shots when they are available and run on offense. We want to take advantage of our speed and then find our post players inside.”

The score was tied at 6-6 when Madonna sophomore Sabrina Alatis made a goal, but by the time the Lady Blue Dons got their next points on a short jumper by sophomore Andrea Alimario, the Lumberjills had 26. Valley went on to outscore Madonna 31-4 in the second quarter and took a commanding 46-10 lead to the locker room at the half.

“I was disappointed, but you need to credit Valley because they put it to us tonight,” said Don Ogden, Madonna’s veteran coach, whose team now is 0-2. “I don’t think we were prepared to match their intensity and focus, and that’s my fault for not having them ready for this game.

“They are a very experienced team and are very good. They throw a lot at you and you better be able to adjust. In every aspect of the game, I don’t think we did a very good job tonight. They didn’t need any additional help because they are that good, but we gave them some.”

The Lumberjills worked their offense with quick passes and repeatedly found seniors Rachel Baker and Mel Thomas open on the low blocks. When they weren’t open, they fired away from three-point land with junior Sophie Palmer zipping two through the cords.

Baker led the Valley offense with 14 points and sophomore Caitlyn Underwood was close behind with 13. Palmer netted 12 points and Jenna Dallison scored 10.

Madonna’s post players, junior Kasey Canei and Alimario each scored six points and freshman Carly Dowiak scored five while sophomore Gia Riccadonna added four points.

The Blue Dons travel to Toronto Monday for the next game against the Lady Red Knights while the Lumberjills are at home against East Richland.

Valley 62, Madonna 29

Valley     15 31 5 11 62

Madonna     6 4 8 11 29

VALLEY (2-0): C. West 2 0-0 4, Palmer 5 0-0 12, Melott 1 0-0 3, Underwood 3 6-6 13, Thomas 1 0-0 2, J. West 1 0-0 2, Dallison 5 0-0 10, Ueltschy 1 0-0 2, Baker 6 2-2 14. TOTALS: 25 8-8 62. 3-pointers: Palmer 2, Melott, Underwood; Rebounds 26 (Thomas 7, Baker 7); Turnovers: 18.

MADONNA (0-2): Riccadonna 2 0-0 4, Alatis 1 0-0 2, Staffelino 0 3-4 3, Dowiak 1 3-5 5, Alimario 2 2-2 6, Burns 0 1-2 1, Canei 1 4-12 6, Krynicki 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 8 13-25 29. Rebounds: 23 (Alimario 6, Canei 6): Turnovers 32.

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