By a point, WV girls deny Cubs

MAKE WAY:
Morgan McCarley muscles through the Anderson defense on the way to a West Valley victory.

With two starters sick at home for West Valley on Feb. 10, the varsity girls looked to be in the sights of the Anderson Cubs, who were looking for payback against the Eagles after last month's two-point heartbreaker.

Even though West Valley's Taylor Lambert and Amy Westaby weren't in the game, the Cubs weren't about to let up their pressure.

"We approach West Valley the same way as always," Anderson head coach Kevin Crye said. "We have to control the defensive glass and make our free throws."

Despite their game plan, West Valley made a number of offensive rebounds led by Morgan McCarley, whose six offensive rebounds helped keep the ball in Eagle territory.

In the third quarter, Anderson's perimeter shooting went on a cold streak and allowed the Eagles to forge ahead due to their steady inside game.

Anderson's outside shooters eventually warmed up and started chipping away at the Eagles lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Carlyn Edwards hit a three point shot to bring the Cubs within one. Edwards hit three beyond the arc against the Eagles all game.

With the Eagles up by one and less than eight seconds remaining, the Cubs gained possession on an Eagle turnover but failed to sink the buzzer beater.

McCarley totalled 11 rebounds and ten points. Only two of her points came from free throws. The Eagles were led by Paige Adkins, who scored 11 and was no stranger to the paint with seven rebounds of her own.

"We had two girls down and everybody else picked it up and did well off the bench," West Valley coach Dana Cowan said. "They did a great job to get us through."

Nikki Tritton led the Cubs with 14 points, followed by Edwards with 9.

The junior varsity contest was much more lopsided, as the Eagles' populous bench provided the extra energy needed to leave the Cubs behind, 57-29. The Cubs squad, by comparison, held only two players in reserve to relieve tired starters.

The Eagles JV team were led by Madi McCarley and Alana Kong with 10 points, and Morgan Gray scored nine.