Here's the article from the Trib too:
Top-seeded PV rolls past Grand Valley
By ADAM RAEDER Tribune Chronicle correspondentASHTABULA - The last time the Pymatuning Valley Lakers took on Grand Valley, the Lakers pretty much won the game at the opening tip.
They didn't even let the Mustangs get on the board until the second quarter.
So when the Lakers entered the second quarter on Thursday with the Mustangs not just on the board but holding the lead, well, they got the message loud and clear.
They couldn't take this one for granted. With their season, and a school record for wins, hanging in the balance, they had to play better.
And play better they did. A lot better.
After allowing 14 points in the first frame, the Lakers gave up just nine the rest of the way, surviving their scare to cruise to a 65-23 win in the girls Division III sectional final at Lakeside High School.
"The first time we played them, they didn't score until the second quarter and now they're beating us? (Head coach Jeff Compan) just reminded us that it's the tourney now. One loss and we're done," Lakers senior Rose Lane said. "We wanted that 22nd win.
"It was a shock we were down. We had to get it going."
And the Lakers got it going on defensive end.
They didn't panic. They didn't change a thing on the defensive end.
They just played harder.
Working out of their trademark zone, the Lakers started pressuring the Mustangs' guards, taking away the open jumpers that helped the Mustangs gallop out of the gates and shutting Grand Valley out in the process.
"Defense was the big thing. We wanted to front the post and pressure the wings," Compan said. "We made sue to make them put it on the floor.
"They didn't panic. That's been a trait all year: Staying calm."
And there was reason to at least worry early as Angie Ferguson was hot from long range early, draining two quick 3-pointers, helping the Mustangs to an early four-point lead. Then the Lakers defense found itself getting gashed by Grand Valley's wings cutting to the basket, resulting in six points from the charity stripe and a 14-10 lead for Grand Valley after one quarter.
But Oliva Holt hit a runner to open the second and Rose Lane added a floater to tie up the game.
A 3-pointer from Kayla Landis, a pair of foul shots from Holt and Constance Stech and a Lane layup later, the Lakers were back in control, 23-16.
By the time Grand Valley recorded its next point - at the 4-minute mark of the third quarter - it was 31-17 Pymatuning Valley.
"We had a game plan. We talked about coming out and getting after it. We had nothing to lose," Grand Valley coach Kim Triskett said. "We came out and played that way in the first half. In the second half, they got on a little run and that puncture the balloon a little bit."
The Mustangs hurt their own cause by turning the ball over 28 times.
"It wasn't their press," Triskett said. "It was us not getting into position for ball reversal."
Lane led the Lakers with 24 points - including a stretch of three straight 3-pointers - and Stech added 16 as 10 Lakers found their way into the scoring column.
"I got (those 3s) and I just wanted to keep going," Lane said.
Cassie Swango led the Mustangs (7-15) with six points and 11 rebounds.
While Grand Valley's season is over, the Lakers advance to take on Berkshire on March 5 at Lakeside, when they'll look to add another win to their record books.
"We just can't have another one of those (slow starts)," Lane said.
1 comment:
Way to go Jethro!!! Keep it rolling through the tourney.
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