43
Girard rolls past McDonald
By TIM CLEVELAND
McDONALD
When the season opener was concluded, the Girard High girls basketball team looked like it was ready for the best competition the All-American Conference has to offer while McDonald resembled a team about to face a long season.
The Indians took a 20-point halftime lead on Friday and were never threatened in a 64-22 romp.
“I was real pleased,” Girard coach Andy Saxon said. “We have a real young team. I only have one returning letterman [Bree Bishop] from last year.
“I think we have some really good athletes on our team,” Saxon said. “I think the girls played really well for their first game.”
Bishop paced Girard with a game-high 12 points and 11 rebounds, including five put-backs.
The 5-foot-10 senior scored eight in the first quarter as the Indians took an 18-5 lead.
The only thing that was able to deter her during the game was picking up two personal fouls in the first quarter that sent her to the bench.
“I think we played [well],” Bishop said. “We’ve got some areas to work on, but it’s a good way to open up the season.
“It’s a little rough; it’s been a while, at least for me. I think we’ll get better as a team.”
Girard had a commanding 45-18 advantage in rebounds.
“Bree’s an awesome inside player and outside player,” Saxon said. “She’s a phenomenal athlete; one of the best players in Trumbull County.”
Valerie Thomas picked up the slack in Bishop’s absence. She scored five in the second quarter to pace Girard to a 32-12 halftime lead. She finished with 11 points.
A pair of big sophomores stepped up and contributed solidly for Girard. Shymara Dykes (5-11) scored five points with 11 rebounds, and Camille Stoffick (6-0) had six of her eight points during garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Sierra Welch paced McDonald with six points, Sara Joseph had five and Alyssa Ritz scored four.
“No one wants to start their season off with a loss, but there were learning moments for the girls,” McDonald coach Amy Dolsak said. “They’re a young team. We still have a lot to work on. We’re small; we’ve got to learn how to box out and get rebounds.”
Saxon said defense is what he needs his team to work on.
“We didn’t stop the ball a few times; miscommunication in transition was probably one of the worst things we did. That’ll come with practice and experience.”