GIRLS BASKETBALL West Branch holds off Salem

A late 3-pointer proved to be the game-winner.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- Amber Metzger made a crucial 3-point basket with 2 minutes, 30 seconds remaining that gave West Branch a 39-34 lead, and the Warriors held on to edge Salem 39-38 in a girls basketball season opener Friday.
The Quakers' Alyson Cotter tried a 3-pointer that missed with two seconds remaining, and even though Sarah Hamilton got the rebound and scored at the buzzer it wasn't enough in the contest played before an estimated 700 fans in John A. Cabas gymnasium.
Metzger said of her 3-point basket, "I just got lucky. I saw an opening and just tossed it up."
Full-court pressure
The Warriors' full court pressure annoyed the Quakers as they built a 12-point lead and were ahead 27-15 with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Salem went on a 13-3 run to cut the deficit to 30-28 going into the final eight minutes of action.
"That 3-pointer by Metzger late changed the way we had to play the last couple of minutes," said Salem coach Steve Stewart.
The Quakers didn't fare well at the foul line in the final quarter as they made only six of 13 free throws.
"We didn't get the fouls down, but we'll work on that," said Stewart. "You win, lose as a team and we just came up short."
Metzger was 2-of-8 from 3-point range and tied Ashley Armstrong for team scoring honors with 11 points.
"Metzger is a three-year starter and a team leader," said West Branch coach Charles Campbell.
"She played an outstanding game for us, had some key steals, rebounds and baskets, plus that 3-pointer. She got a good look and sunk it.
"We got off to the early start and thought our full-court pressure would bother them and it did in the first half," added Campbell.
"The difference is we are learning to be more patient and we shot 50 percent in the first half."
Teal steps up
Lauren Teal, a 6-0 junior for the Quakers, was held to a basket and a free throw in the first half, but scored nine of Salem's 13 points in the third quarter.
"I thought West Branch was putting us away early in the third quarter, but Teal worked inside to score some key buckets and she picked it up defensively," Stewart said.
Teal had a career-high nine blocked shots, grabbed eight rebounds and took scoring honors with 14 points. Hamilton, a 5-10 sophomore, chipped in with 10 points.
West Branch shot 53 percent in the first half, canning 10-of-19 shots compared to Salem's 4-of-20 field goal attempts.
In the second half, the Quakers were 9-of-15 from the field and the Warriors managed just 6-of-19 field goals.
It was the first time the Quakers lost a season opener since 1997, and the Warriors took a 19-18 lead in the series between the schools.