By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
MVI Sports
The Monessen girls got ready for their early season Section 2-A showdown with West Greene by ripping Geibel, 65-7, on Major Corley Court Wednesday night.
The Greyhounds host the Pioneers tonight.
Avanti Stitch scored 10 first-half points on her way to 19 to lead the Greyhounds (3-0, 3-0). Sydney Caterino added 15 points as seven of the Hounds’ nine players scored.
Geibel (0-3, 0-3), meanwhile, missed their first 11 shots and committed 16 turnovers in the first half. The second half wasn’t much better for the Gators, giving the ball away 17 times. They managed only two field goals for the night.
Three of Geibel’s six players are playing basketball for the first time this season.
“I am just happy we are playing, this game does not look like we’re trying to compete but we are,” Gators coach Steve Mittereder said.”
Geibel’s turnovers did not come unforced as the Hounds’ pressure forced loose balls, errant passes and difficult scoring chances. The Greyhounds led 25-0 midway through the second quarter before the Gators got on the board.
“I wanted us to be aggressive and try to steal the ball but I wanted us to set up the offense when we crossed midcourt,” Monessen coach Janine Vertacnik said. “I wanted them to run some plays. But I’m still not happy with our second and third shots inside. We’ve got to make more of them.”
Caterino scored six first-quarter points thanks to a three-point play and a 3-pointer. Hailey Johnson scored seven consecutive points in the opening half.
After a timeout, the Gators got on the board thanks to a jumper from Mala Stephenson. She made two at the free-throw line in the quarter to make it 29-4.
The freshman trio of Stitch, MyAsia Majors and Hailey Johnson were a force on the boards. But they struggled getting their putbacks to fall.
“The freshmen don’t get the right angle, that’s just something that comes with playing more,” Vertacnik said. “In middle school, they were bigger than everyone. They just keep throwing the ball up until it goes in. (You) can’t do that in high school.”
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