Junior High Girls Basketball Teams Sweep Pair From A-C Valley, Come Back From Losses To Moniteau (11/20/15)
The Clarion Area Junior High Girls Basketball Teams had games with A-C Valley and Moniteau this week. Coach Dave Constantino shares these articles:
8th Grade Game
Clarion 28 A-C Valley 23
Clarion Girls’ 8th grade basketball team played a solid four quarters of basketball in route to 28-23 victory over A-C Valley Thursday afternoon in Foxburg. The young Cats played great team defense and did a nice job of running their offensive sets in obtaining the win. Clarion jumped out to an 18-13 lead at the half and played even with the Lady Falcons during the final two quarters.
(Photos by Kim Constantino) Kaitlyn Constantino with a back door pass to Kyara Girvan against Moniteau
Clarion was led by their only two 8th graders on the team, Kaitlyn Constantino pumped in 12 points and Kyara Girvan netted 10 tallies. The 8th grade tandem have a calming presence on the 7th graders on the team who are beginning to hit their stride.. Ava Cherico, Brenna Copenhaver, and Emily Grabiak each scored a basket for the Lady Cats who continue to improve with each and every game. Maria Bradley, who always seems to be in the right position, did a nice job at the defensive end for Clarion.
7th Grade Game
Clarion 23 A-C Valley 18
Clarion’s 7th grade team stepped up the defensive pressure in the second half and outscored the Lady Falcons 17-4 in the last two quarters to come away with a 23-18 victory in the nightcap Thursday. Clarion found themselves down 14-6 at the half but staged a furious second half rally to come away with the win. Ava Cherico led the way offensively as she scored 15 points.
Kaitlyn Constantino on a breakaway lay up against Moniteau
Hannah Hazlett bucketed 4 points and Alli Stivanson and Sarah Clark each netted 2. The Lady Cats played outstanding team defense in the pivotal 3rd quarter as they turned an 8 point deficit into a two point lead heading into the final frame. Clarion then outscored A-C Valley 6-3 in the last quarter to set the final score.
Clarion heads back into action next Monday when they travel to Tionesta to take on the Forest Fires.
8th Grade Game
Moniteau 32 Clarion 19
Clarion’s 8th grade team played well in a loss to a talented Moniteau team Tuesday afternoon. The young Cats were only down by 3 at the end of the first quarter and 7 at the half. However, Moniteau pulled away in the 3rd quarter with a 14-4 advantage. Clarion came back to outscore the Lady Warriors 8-4 in the final stanza. Clarion was led by their lone two 8th graders on the team. Kaitlyn Constantino poured in 11 points and Kyara Girvan pumped in 6. 7th grader Maria Bradley scored two points for the Lady Cats.
Score by quarters: 1st: 4-8, 2nd: 4-16, 3rd: 6-25, Final: 8-28
7th Grade Game
Moniteau 28 Clarion 8
Moniteau jumped out to a 16-4 halftime lead and never looked back in defeating the Lady Cats in the opening game Tuesday. Clarion was only down 4 after the first quarter but Moniteau outscored them 17-2 in the middle quarters and went on to cruise to the victory. The young Cats continue to play hard and improve from game to game. Hannah Hazlett scored 4 points for Clarion and was followed by Ava Cherico and Kate Heinen who both bucketed two points.
Score by quarters: 1st: 5-8, 2nd: 7-14, 3rd, 11-28, Final: 19-32
(Thanks to coach Constantino for the articles and to Kim Constantino for the photos. Thanks to Nate McClaine for the scores by quarter for Moniteau games.)