By Stephen Smoot
Coach Donnie Kopp took a team full of kids battling seasonal illnesses to Petersburg last weekend. Though they got stung by a swarm of Yellow Jackets Friday night, a game against the Union Tigers on Saturday proved to be just what the doctor ordered.
Union took the opening tip. The first minute of the game saw both teams feeling each other out and forcing turnovers from each other. Pendleton County’s Susan Vincell gave her team the first points of the contest, taking a deft pass from Jameigh Miller and converting a layup.
With a minute and a half gone in the period, Avery Townsend took a steal and doubled the lead with a 15-foot step in shot. Union scored again with 3:40 left in the quarter, but was answered by Jenna Smith who hit a 17-foot shot to extend the lead to 6 to 2. Thirty seconds later, Gabby DePue took a beautiful Townsend pass in for a shot basket and an 8 to 2 lead.
Union answered with two minutes left. Shortly thereafter, Jessica Parker got her first steal of the night, which set up another long Smith shot and a 10 to 4 lead.
Tight defense led to points for Pendleton County, especially in the first half. DePue and Julia Mongold combined for a steal with 6:11 left in the half. This led to a Mongold layup at the other end.
When running their offense, Pendleton County worked often out of high low sets, using give and go plays to increase player movement. Toward the end of the half, Parker swiped two steals at both the 1:15 and 31 second marks. A Mongold three with 13 seconds left put the score at 23 to 5, but Union signaled they were not yet out of it, hitting their own three at the buzzer.
The Tigers went on to prove their spirit by taking charge through much of the third quarter. Their adjustments helped them to reduce turnovers and incite their inside out game. Union relies on strong and powerful players inside, as well as opportune outside shooting.
The Tigers closed the gap to 23 to 12, but Vincell stopped the run with an offensive rebound and score. Miller also worked to find her shot on offense, hitting a pull up shot at the 4:45 mark. Miller closed out a remarkable possession with a three pointer that was kept alive repeatedly by two Smith offensive rebounds.
The Wildcats faced a Tiger squad with momentum going into the fourth. The commanding lead at the half was whittled to a 32 to 25 advantage. Townsend faced uncharacteristic struggles with her outside shot, but as great players do, found other ways to help push her team to the win.
Townsend’s defense helped to shut down Union in the last stanza. She relentlessly harassed Tiger ball handlers, forcing errant passes and taking steals. Miller continued to make plays on offense as well, hitting Vincell with a pass that led to a layup and a 38 to 25 lead. Townsend also scored on a coast-to-coast layup at the 5:25 and the 2:43 marks.
The defensive intensity continued for the remainder of the game as Olivia Gonshor, Kiera Heavener, and Nataley Hedrick all stopped Union possessions with steals.
The game ended with Pendleton County securing an important 45 to 27 win.
Of his team’s battles with illness, Kopp said, “They really sucked it up. Dan (Coach Miller) did a great job of telling me when people needed a break.” The victory was sealed because “we took care of the basketball in the last four minutes”
Kopp praised his entire team, especially Smith, saying “I thought this was her best.”
He added “I’m proud of them.”
The Wildcats are scheduled to host Tygarts Valley tonight.
