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Lady Greyhounds pull away for 57-22 road win

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read
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Jim Downey | ëƵ-Standard

MonessenëƵs Madison Johnson drives to the basket as the Lady GatorsëƵ Lydia Geary (21) sets up to take a charge in the third quarter of FridayëƵs Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

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Jim Downey | ëƵ-Standard

The Lady GatorsëƵ Emma Larkin is fouled by MonessenëƵs Harmony Wynn as she drives to the basket in the first quarter of FridayëƵs Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

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Jim Downey | ëƵ-Standard

The Lady GatorsëƵ Amanda Hoffer (12) hits a jumpshot over the Monessen defense in the first quarter of FridayëƵs Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

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Jim Downey | ëƵ-Standard

The Lady GatorsëƵ Lydia Geary (21) disrupts the shot by MonessenëƵs NaëƵJaziah Carter in the third quarter of FridayëƵs Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

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Jim Downey | ëƵ-Standard

The Lady GatorsëƵ Maia Stephenson scores a layup from an assist by Emma Larkin (22) in the first quarter of FridayëƵs Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. ëƵ MonessenëƵs surge late in the second quarter carried the visiting Lady Greyhounds to a key 57-22 Section 2-A victory against Geibel Catholic.

The victory, coupled with AvellaëƵs win against West Greene, thrust Monessen (5-1, 11-4) back into the hunt for the section title.

ëƵWe control our own destiny. If we win out, we win the section,ëƵ said Monessen coach Janine Vertacnik. ëƵWe have four games left, with Avella and West Greene at home.ëƵ

Geibel slips to 3-3 in the section and 9-9 overall. The Lady Gators also have their playoff future in their hands.

ëƵWe have to win games we should win, plain and simple,ëƵ said Geibel Catholic coach Sara Larkin.

Sparked by NaëƵJaziah CarterëƵs 3-point shooting, MonessenëƵs late first-half run gave the visitors a 30-14 halftime lead.

ëƵNaëƵJaziah came alive and hit those threes,ëƵ said Vertacnik.

Carter, a freshman, finished with 12 points, all on 3-pointers. Hailey Johnson scored 15 points and Madison Johnson added 12.

ëƵBasketball is a game of runs. I felt it was no big deal. If we get one, weëƵll be even at halftime,ëƵ said Larkin.

Monessen kept pulling away in the second half, leading 46-22 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lady Greyhounds outscored the home team in the final eight minutes, 11-0.

ëƵBoards killed us. We could not get a rebound. That was the difference in the game,ëƵ said Larkin. ëƵYou canëƵt give them six chances, especially that many times.ëƵ

MonessenëƵs defense harassed the Lady Gators, giving freshman Emma Larkin few 3-point opportunities and making her work on drives through the lane. Larkin finished with a game-high 16 points.

ëƵWe try to wear her down. We played a zone with help defense. If she beats one player, we have another to help,ëƵ explained Vertacnik. ëƵWe will not let one kid beat us.ëƵ

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