By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
MVI Sports
Monessen girls basketball coach Janine Vertacnik returned to one of her former coaching stops Wednesday night and her Greyhounds had visions of giving their leader her 300th career victory.
Despite a spirited and valiant effort, the milestone will need to wait at least one more night.
Greensburg Salem slowed things down in the fourth quarter and hit their free throws down the stretch to defeat Monessen, 40-35, in a non-section matchup.
Sophomore Kendelle Weston led the Greyhounds (12-6) with 13 points, grabbing seven rebounds. Qitarah Hardison managed only six points but had seven boards as well as five steals, despite seeing her double-double streak end.
Weston, Hardison and Hairston along with Mercedes Majors, who scored eight points, almost led the Greyhounds back in the second half, but foul trouble and turnovers did Monessen in.
“Foul trouble was big because we’re really not that deep on the bench,” said Vertacnik. “I have our three big girls and they got tired. This was an intense game and I really had no subs to give them a break.”
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