Potters Prove Too Much For Wildcats
RICHMOND -- One aspect the Edison girls basketball team prides itself on is its defense and making its opponents feel uncomfortable offensively.
On Thursday, the Wildcats went to a more conservative 1-3-1 zone against East Liverpool, mainly because they allowed Catholic Central to take 45 free throw attempts on Saturday.
The Potters took full advantage, dishing out 19 assists and seemingly confusing Edison during their 62-40 victory.
"We were getting good shots and good looks because we were moving the ball around well and moving it quick," East Liverpool head coach Bryian Burson said. "Any time you can do that, regardless of what type of defense you're facing, you should get the look you want."
First-year coach Mark Smyth admitted that he did not want his team to allow 45 more freebies. Plus, with Edison (0-5) still looking for its first win, he continues to adjust after each game.
"You can tell that's a really well-coached team. They moved the ball really well and hit a lot of shots against our 1-3-1," Smyth said. "Against Central, we were full court press the entire game. They attacked us and got us in foul trouble. We tried to rely more on rebounding and closing on shooters rather than denying shooters."
East Liverpool (2-2) raced out to an 11-1 scoring run to begin the contest. After leading 18-9 entering the second quarter, it scored 18 more points, while the defense stepped up and forced eight turnovers.
The Potters led, 36-15, at halftime.
"We had some girls shifted around (Thursday). I actually think we did a lot better as the game went on of trying to execute our game plan," Smyth said. "They're playing really hard and are doing exactly what I ask of them. I have to get the offense to click."
Edison starting point guard Alysea Fiedorczyk recently was injured during practice and did not play on Thursday. Gracie Fox, the Wildcats' first option off the bench, started and Savanna Ankrom shifted to the point.
Ankrom finished with eight points, five rebounds and four assists. Fox, meanwhile, had nine points and four boards.
"Savanna's a player. I sat in the stands last year and noticed that she can take over games," Smyth said. "There isn't anything with her that you can take away. She can move the ball, get to the rim, play inside and is just a really good basketball player."
Also for Edison, Olivia Huff collected 14 points and eight rebounds. Pam Johnson added six points and two rebounds.
For the Potters, Mikayla Reed recorded a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Alessandra Ferrazzano had 12 points and two rebounds. Shayla Foster produced 11 points, three boards and three dimes. Victoria Flores only scored two points but had nine rebounds and six assists.
"It's an adjustment for us because here for the last three or four years, everything went through Emma Ludwig. Now we have to find a way around that," Burson said.
DOWN THE MIDDLE
So far this season, East Liverpool has defeated Bellaire and Edison, while falling to Indian Creek and New Philadelphia. None of the games were close.
The Potters are still figuring out what type of team they are. For now, they are right in the middle.
"It's hard to tell," Burson said. "Indian Creek and New Philly are going to win a lot of games and are really quality opponents. All four of our opponents have played hard and are well coached. A really good question for us is how good can we be?
"Even against Creek and New Philly, we've shown flashes of our potential. Like (Thursday), there have been times where we look sloppy. A question we still have to answer is how good can we be?"
STATE OF OHIO
Pennsylvania announced Thursday that it has paused high school athletics. Coupled with West Virginia not starting until at least Jan. 11, it could impact sports in Ohio.
"With everything that's going on, we kind of feel like we're on borrowed time. Any chance we can practice or play, it feels like a blessing because, in a moment's notice, everything can be taken away for a while," Burson said. "Most of the teams we're playing right now are fairly local. New Philly is like an hour and a half away. Other than that, we're not going real far to play."
The East Liverpool boys program currently is in quarantine but is expected to return sometime next week. The Edison boys shut down operations earlier this week.
"I'm obviously a strong component for keeping sports open in Ohio right now for our players' mental health," Smyth said. "If I go back 10 years ago, I need this. I need sports and basketball. It meant everything to me. I know there are kids all over Ohio that are in the exact same boat. They need a sense of normalcy. I think Ohio's doing a good job of keeping the doors open."
Barnesville 41, Buckeye Trail 30
LORE CITY -- Blayne Carpenter bucketed 12 points to lead Barnesville past Buckeye Trail.
Shadyside 68, Steubenville 36
SHADYSIDE -- Baylee Wach couldn't miss from downtown as she drained a trio of treys to finish with 22 points as Shadyside downed Steubenville.
Tory Hendershot tallied 12 for the Tigers and Kamdyn Elerick added 10.
Makayla Abram paced Big Red with 13 points and Lexi Martin added 11.
Bellaire 56, Martins Ferry 54
MARTINS FERRY -- In a nail-biter, Bellaire erased a nine-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to pull out a two-point thriller.
Four Bethany Bonar treys were a key reason for the Big Reds' success as she finished with 16 points.
Lizzie McAninch and Jayden Lowe tallied 12 and 11, respectively, in the win.
Maria Clark (14, Aliarah Jones (12) and Hunter Pollock (10) led the Purple Riders.
Monroe Central 41, Buckeye Trail 30
SHENANDOAH -- Kalista Friday turned in a game-high 24 points to lead Monroe Central to victory over Shenandoah.
Trista Morris supplied 13 points for the Seminoles and Kynzi Bishop added 12.
Cambridge 36, Steubenville Catholic 33
CAMBRIDGE -- The Catholic Central girls basketball team went on the road Thursday and dropped a 36-33 decision to Cambridge.
The Crusaders led 33-26 late in the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats, taking advantage of several Central turnovers, put together a 10-0 scoring run to secure their third victory in five starts. Central is now 1-1.
Katie Zatta paced Central in scoring with 15 points. Ellen Rohde added nine to go along with nine rebounds, and Bri DeChristopher contributed five points.
McKinzi Linscott and Camryn Gebhart scored 10 each for Cambridge.
Central is back in action Wednesday when it hosts Beallsville. Monday's scheduled game with Toronto has been canceled.