Picture by Invoice Ferguson Wheeling Central's Kaitlyn Blake (42) takes a shot between a number of Trinity defenders throughout Thursday morning's W.Va. Class AA state match quarterfinals on the Charleston Civic Middle Coliseum. Blake had a double-double because the No. 3 Maroon Knights cruised to an 80-35 victory over No. 6 Trinity.
CHARLESTON — Whereas No. 6 Trinity Christian struggled from the perimeter throughout its Class AA quarterfinal in opposition to No. 3 Wheeling Central Catholic, the Warriors generated sufficient offense within the first half to remain within the sport below regular circumstances.
Nonetheless, the Maroon Knights scored early and sometimes all through the sport to take care of distance earlier than constructing on a 15-point halftime lead with a dominant second half that noticed them rout the Warriors, 80-35, on the Charleston Coliseum and Conference Middle.
“Actually proud of how the ladies performed,” Maroon Knights head coach Roberta Olejasz mentioned. “We don't prepare effort. They bring about us their very own effort and defensiveness, which actually confirmed immediately.”
The consequence sends Wheeling Central (16-8) to the semifinals, the place Williamstown awaits.
The Maroon Knights made 9 of 20 photographs throughout a 24-point first quarter to ensure they have been forward, save for the opening basket by the Warriors' Jenny Barnett.
“Within the first half they did a very good job of getting the ball out of Jenny's palms,” Trinity head coach Mike Baldy mentioned: “And that's what Central and each opponent desires.
Kaitlyn Blake keyed Central's sturdy begin with a 10-point opening body because the submit presence was dominant on the basket, whereas teammate Addie Payton linked twice from past the arc so as to add six factors.
Trinity (19-6) had its share of vivid spots within the second quarter, together with back-to-back baskets by Kaylin Kurilko early within the interval to tug inside 9.
Whereas the Warriors totaled 15 factors within the interval, Central saved tempo after which some. Payton's third 3-pointer marked her staff's first factors of the quarter and he or she had 11 factors within the first 3:58 of the body, along with her remaining basket leaving the Warriors with a 39-22 deficit. A Brook Edge jumper marked the ultimate factors of the half and despatched Central into the locker room with a 41-26 benefit.
By way of two quarters, the Maroon Knights had 16 area targets and 6 of 6 free throws.
A defensive sport plan designed to restrict Barnett was additionally executed nicely, led by the efforts of Payton.
“I couldn't have carried out it with out my teammates placing in the identical effort as me,” Payton mentioned. “I profit from their efforts. We knew we needed to shut her down they usually have been drained. We ran as a staff and that led to turnovers and open photographs for everybody.”
The Warriors acquired a 3-pointer by Kate Williams 1:48 into the second half to chop the deficit to 11, however two free throws by Blake and a 3-pointer by Edge pushed the lead again to 16.
Central took its first 20-point lead on Blake's follow-up basket 2:46 into the third, and the Maroon Knights scored the ultimate 12 factors of the interval to take a commanding 64-35 benefit into the fourth.
“That lead went from 15 to 40 actually rapidly with their transition sport,” Baldy mentioned. “They’re an incredible transition staff. As the sport went on, we couldn't shoot. We didn't get an opportunity to settle in in any respect in our press. We wanted extra photographs and that didn't occur. On a bigger scale, it's a 19-win season and I'm actually happy with this staff.”
Blake completed with a game-high 26 factors and 15 rebounds, seven of which got here on the offensive finish. She additionally had 5 assists and 5 blocks.
Payton scored 22, made three of eight 3-pointers between the 2 groups and had a game-best seven.
Edge had 14 factors and 7 assists in her third sport again from damage because the Maroon Knights moved to 10-0 this season along with her within the lineup.
“It's so enjoyable to be on the market with the ladies,” Edge mentioned. “They labored so exhausting.
Olejasz believes Edge's presence makes the Maroon Knights a extra full staff.
“She is our chief and coach on the ground. She labored her approach again,” Olejasz mentioned. “We're not there but, however we've began to play like we did at first of this season.”
Kurilko scored 15 factors and had 12 boards to tempo the Warriors, however the remainder of the staff shot 5-for-55.
The Warriors made simply 3 of 35 threes.
