DANVILLE — The Danville girls
basketball team has thrived on its pressure defense for years, but this year
it has struggled in the early part of the season. Saturday, it all came together.
The Blue Devils slowed down East Knox and got some big 3-pointers at key times
to pull out a 63-57 victory over the rival Bulldogs in Mid-Buckeye Conference
action.
“We’re starting to understand; starting to get it,” said Danville
coach Shane Henry. “I thought we’ve played hard all season. ... We’ve
played real well in three-minute spans, but then crumbled. Now we’re starting
to put together longer spans.”
“All the credit goes to Danville. They played lights out and deserved to
beat us,” said East Knox coach Jim Davis. “We did not do what we
needed to do.”
The game was a battle from the opening tip, as both team’s defenses harassed
their opponents. East Knox hit on just 11 of 29 shots and turned the ball over
14 times in the first half, while Danville made just 9 of 28 shots and had 13
turnovers. The Devils’ seven-point lead (14-7) early in the second quarter
was the biggest lead of the half.
“I thought our guards, Ashlee Townsend and Katelyn Walls, played well,” said
Henry. “Katelyn is so good on the ball. She wears you out. Today, we spelled
her a bit in the first quarter to keep her fresher longer. She’s a heckuva
defender.”
East Knox (6-6 overall, 4-3 MBC) was able to get it back together as Jill Regal,
Josie Burwell and Hayley Gray combined for 13 points to tie the game up at 24.
A barrage of 3-pointers by the Devils (3-8, 2-5) helped them take the lead in
the third quarter. But, it was several nice drives by Katelyn Walls, Ashlee Townsend
and Corie Inverso that helped them push the lead to 13 points (57-44) midway
through the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs went to a smaller, four-guard lineup and inched its way back into
the game. Burwell hit three baskets, including a 3-pointer, to close the gap
to four, but that would be as close as they would come.
For the full story, click here for the January 10, 2011 e-edition
