Union Local Comes Out On Top In Defensive Battle vs. Seminoles
Kim North Trending
MORRISTOWN - In a game where there were 41 combined turnovers and neither team shot over 40 percent from the field, Union Local (15-5) held off Monroe Central, 37-35, in girls' basketball action inside 'The Hangar' at Union Local High school.
The Jets, who charted 23 of the turnovers, built a seemingly comfortable, 34-30, lead late with just under five minutes left to play when they strung nine together nine consecutive points. Senior Lauren Miller, playing her final home game of her career on Senior Night, started the barrage with a two-pointer and Mya Martin capped the run with a three-pointer. In between, Miller nailed a pair of free throws and Ella Pietranton contributed a basket.
Both head coaches alluded to "good defense" as the reason for the high amount of turnovers and poor shooting.
"I thought we had put ourselves in a good position when we were up by 14, but Monroe's pressure forced us into some turnovers and they made a run, which we knew they were going to.
"I think both teams played really good defense," veteran Union Local head coach Lou "Scooter" Tolzda advised. "Monroe cut off our driving lanes ... there wasn't anything there to create. They are a solid, good young team like we are. They haven't won 15 games as a fluke."
Tolzda said the win gives the Jets some much-needed momentum heading into their third clash with Martins Ferry, with each team winning on its home floor.
"We're excited to be playing in the OVAC Tournament," Tolzda said.
"I do feel like both teams played good defense. That makes both teams be a little more patient on offense," Veteran Monroe Central head coach Troy Baker said.
"I think both teams struggled at times on offense. I loved our defensive effort, but offensively we struggled at times and I think a lot of that was due to Union Local's defense."
Monroe Central converted 13 of 33 shots from the floor (37.5 percent) while Union Local was a tad better at 12-for-32 (29.4).
"We missed a lot of good looks and we missed way too many layups," Baker revealed. "However, I think there may have been some contact on most of those shots."
The Seminoles (15-4) didn't roll over. The OVAC Class 2A No. 1 seed reeled off 13 unanswered markers to pull to within one, 34-33, with 1-minute left on the clock.
Mayzie Emery ignited the outburst with a bucket and after two free throws from Laken Vinskovich, Emery dialed in a three-ball to make it 34-26.
Following a full timeout by Monroe Central, the Seminoles' pressure forced another turnover, Jayce English scored five quick points to make it a 34-32 count as Tolzda called a 30-second timeout as 1:09 remained.
Another turnover by the Jets - they had nine in the final quarter - led to an offensive putback by Riley Bettinger that cut the deficit to 34-33 at the 1-minute mark.
"We made that late run but we just couldn't get over the hump," Baker noted. "We'll bounce back."
Miller, who was held to 12 points, nearly eight under her average, tickled the twine three times with free throws down the stretch to keep the Seminoles at bay.
Bettinger's runner from the right side of the lane was off target as the final buzzer sounded.
Miller was the lone double figure scorer for the winners. Martin added eight while Vinskovich and Pietranton evenly split a dozen. Delaney Butler pulled down eight rebounds.
Monroe Central's English led all scorers with 13. Emery finished with 10. Willow Smitley had five rebounds off the bench.
The Seminoles return home and await Steubenville Catholic for Monday night's OVAC semifinal. Monroe Central defeated the Crusaders earlier this week, 59-45, also in Woodsfield.