By Stephen Smoot
Caged by the weather for the most part since a triumph against Union in their opener, the youthful Wildcats girls’ basketball squad brought strong performances as the area counts down to Christmas.
At first glance last week’s contest against Pocahontas County, which ended in a 50 to 35 setback may not seem “strong.” The Warriors, however, have played up to their name and then some to open the year.
A 99 point victory over Richwood to open Pocahontas’ season saw four players in double figures and all players making the scoring sheet. They then decisively defeated Bath County 67-34.
This game showed that the young Pendleton County squad’s identity during the season will likely include a strongly defensive mentality. The Wildcats brought strong physicality to the game at Dunmore, working to match the intensity of the home team.
Only Allison Taylor shot above 25 percent for the field, hitting 50 percent shooting with 18 points. The Wildcats clamped down on shooting opportunities for the Warriors as the remainder of their leading scorers’ tallies fell well under season averages to that point.
For the Wildcats, the front court shouldered much of the scoring load. Junior center Susan Vincell shot five of nine for 16 points. The inside and out threat Jameigh Miller followed with seven.
Next up came the first round of the Petersburg Holiday Tournament on Friday. The threat of heavy snows had prevented the boys’ team, again, from playing their initial game of the season at Tucker County. The weather, however, did not affect the opening round game pitting Pendleton County against downstream rival Moorefield.
The Yellow Jackets scheduled heavily early on. While an opener against Fort Hill (MD) did not take place, Moorefield hosted Hedgesville on Dec. 8 and lost 48-33 and St. Mary’s on the 12th with that game ending in a 72-41 Yellow Jacket setback. Two days prior to the tournament, Keyser traveled to Hardy County and went back north on US 220 with a 74-39 win.
Friday night, in a close and intense contest, Pendleton County kept Moorefield on the schneid with a close and hard-fought 45-40 victory.
Another piece of the identity puzzle seems to have fallen into place here. Pendleton County’s front court dominated Moorefield inside and seemed to score at will, based on the shooting percentages. Once again, Vincell took high scoring honors with six of six shooting from the field for 15 points. Freshman Tia Heavner followed with a 63 percent shooting night and 12 points. Miller followed with 11.
Heavner and Miller each hit two three-point shots as well.
Miller dominated the boards in this game, ripping down 12 total rebounds and also placing second to Lexi Tingler in assists. Tingler had five and Miller three. Vincell also hit double-digits in rebounds with 10.
