UL Knocks Down 11 Treys In Win Over Monarchs
Kim North Trending
MOUNDSVILLE - Union Local had its shooting shoes laced up really tight Monday night as the visiting Jets made their first five three-point shots and had 11 for the game in rolling past John Marshall, 66-41, in girls' basketball action inside the John Marshall Field House.
The Jets (14-5) held an 18-3 advantage less than three minutes into the contest and were never threatened as they held leads of 22-7 after one quarter; 36-20 at the half and 53-29 entering the final panel. They shot 50 percent (23-46) from the floor and knocked down all nine of their free throw attempts.
"We had a great start," Union Local head coach Lou "Scooter" Tolzda said. "We have the utmost respect for John Marshall. "We were short-handed once again with Ella (Pietranton) still out. We started four sophomores and a senior and they girls played well. They shot well. They shared the ball well and we played really good defense.
"These girls are growing up and you can see it in their play," he noted. "I couldn't be more proud of any team I've coached as I am of this one."
Sophomore Alli Kellaway sparked the quick start with seven of her career-high 16 points.
"Alli had the game of her life. That was an unbelievable effort from her," Tolzda praised.
The lone senior starter, Lauren Miller, netted nine of her game-best 23. She buried two bonus bombs, as did sophomore Myah Martin who finished with three for nine points.
"We work on our shooting every day in practice," Tolzda continued.
"When you don't play any defense, that's pretty easy to do, not taking anything away from UL because they shot well. It's hard to shoot that well without a defense," a disappointed John Marshall (9-6)head coach Brock Melko said. "From pre-game on we just weren't mentally prepared and that came in a game when we needed a win to (maybe) get into the (OVAC) tournament. To show up mentally with that effort is the most disappointing thing I could have ever imagined.
"I saw this coming in pre-game in the locker room. We're going over defensive assignments and the girls are giggling and laughing and weren't focused. I had a pretty bad feeling at that point.
"Then we come out and we tell them who the shooters are and we leave them wide open," he added. "We didn't pressure the ball, so we got what we deserved."
Delaney Butler pulled down 11 rebounds as the Jets held a 28-19 advantage off the glass.
"That's what she does," Tolzda said of Butler. "She has a nose for the ball and goes and gets it."
Union Local charted 18 turnovers - 10 in the first half - which was three more than John Marshall.
Rilee Storm had 14 points for the Monarchs. Kayli Derrow finished with 10.
Laken Vinskovich had 10 points and six boards for UL.
With the win, the Jets will most likely finish No. 4 in the OVAC Class 3A race and travel to top-seeded Martins Ferry next Monday. Union Local welcomes Monroe Central to Morristown on Thursday. John Marshall, meanwhile, hosts Wheeling Park on the same night.