GIRARD Hunkus, Maravola help lead Indians to victory over Niles
Tealle Hunkus and Jen Maravola combined for 32 points.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GIRARD -- The Girard High girls basketball team continued to roll Thursday against rival Niles, winning 61-25.
The Indians used a 12-0 first-quarter run and a 13-0 run the following period for the victory.
The Red Dragons (3-5) took a 4-0 lead when their leading scorer, Stacia Ray, had a free throw and a 3-pointer.
Then, the Girard junior duo of 6-foot-1 center Tealle Hunkus and 5-3 point guard Jen Maravola took over, scoring eight points in a 12-0 run that gave the Indians a 12-4 lead.
It was Hunkus with back-to-back baskets, the latter coming with 2 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the quarter that gave Girard a 6-4 lead, which it never relinquished.
With a field goal at the end of the first quarter, Niles junior Taura Mitchell ended that 12-0 run, but then Indians freshman Cachet Murray went to work with a trio of steals that led to as many uncontested layups. This keyed a 13-0 Girard run as the Indians led 25-6.
Hanging in: Ray scored a pair of late baskets to give her eight first-half points. Niles trailed 29-10 at the half.
At the 3:13 mark of the third quarter and Girard ahead 36-12, Ray hit a 3-pointer, her second of the night, and had 13 of her team's 15 points.
Hunkus took over the third quarter for Girard, scoring inside and outside with nine of her team's 14 points. Maravola, with eight points at halftime, finished with a game-high 17 points, tossing in 4-of-7 from long range.
"I wasn't on in our last game with Champion, but tonight I had the confidence to shoot from the outside," said Maravola, who added seven assists. "The best thing about this game is that I was able to find open people who were able to score."
Strong play: Hunkus finished with 15 points and had 16 of Girard's 34 rebounds.
"I worked hard inside and with improvement shooting outside I feel I can contribute better to our team," Hunkus said.
Murray scored 10 points and came up with six steals.
"Niles is missing two players due to injuries and they are a better team than they were tonight," Girard coach Andy Saxon said. "I am fortunate to have a quick team that likes to push the ball up the court.
"I am also fortunate to have the depth to run and wear people down because that's what we did tonight."
Ray finished with 16 of Niles' 25 points and Mitchell had 11 of their 25 rebounds. Jaclyn Sears had four steals.
"We have injuries and right now with Ray leading the way we are pretty much a one-dimensional team," Niles coach Marc Morgan said. "That is the way we will be until we have our girls back and well in February."