Smother lode: C-H girls win with defense
By Joe Tuscano
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
HOUSTON – The first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs is not for the weak hearted.
Chartiers-Houston’s girls basketball team found that out Tuesday night against Brentwood.
The Spartans threw out everything they could and the Bucs came out survivors, winning 51-28 in their home gym.
The Bucs took everything the Spartans had to offer and still came out with a victory.
“For the most part we did a good job,” said Chartiers-Houston head coach Laura Montecalvo. “Brentwood is well-coached and has the size advantage on us. But we did a good job.”
The key for the Bucs was that the load was shared. Everyone contributed, especially on defense, where the Bucs induced Brentwood into 15 turnovers in the first half. By then the Bucs had a 15-point lead and a good handle on winning the game.
“I think at different times of the game, it was different people coming through for us,” Montecalvo said. “I really think a team effort won us the game.”
Chartiers-Houston moved its record to 19-4 and will play Winchester Thurston Friday at a site yet to be determined. Chartiers-Houston came in as the No. 6 seed and Brentwood No. 11. Winchester Thurston is the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
Ava Kolovich led the Bucs in scoring with 13 points. Allison Wingard and Ava Capozzoli each had 12 points.
One of the more interesting offenses the Bucs used was a weave that not only kept the ball away from the Spartans but ran minutes off the clock.
“We use it to take care of the ball, take some time off and look for a good shot.” Montecalvo said.
Capozzoli scored the first two buckets of the game, both from three-point land. Wingard teamed up with Ella Richey to score four unanswered points and gave the Bucs a 16-4 lead. Chartiers-Houston never trailed in the game.
“We’ve struggled with turnovers all year,” said Brentwood head coach Stephanie Thomas. “We’ve had problems with injuries and illness. We knew that was going to be a problem. We came in figuring we needed to have less than 20 turnovers for the game. We had 15 in the first half.”
Ay’Maree Henry used her 6-0 frame to gather the ball inside for some easy layups. She finished with 10 points. Paige Boehm had 14 points.