“They (Big Walnut) are a veteran team that starts five seniors and won 20 games last year,” said Mount Vernon coach Doug Savage. “They have some nice guards and a good inside game with the two big girls. ... I hate to make excuses, but we are so young. I tried to tell them, make sure they knew what was coming. But, you don’t really know until it hits you in the face.”

The Jackets struggled against the full-court press of the Eagles right from the start, needing three tries before they even got the ball past half court. BW’s press forced the Jackets into eight turnovers in the first quarter alone, while the offense cruised to a 20-2 lead.

“Obviously, their press really gave us fits. We definitely struggled against their quickness and trapping. When we did break their pressure, we couldn’t hurt them with our press offense,” Savage said. “We just weren’t able to attack and get a shot off.”

The Eagles’ inside game of Abby Facemyer and Payton Carter dominated play in the paint and on the boards early. Facemyer scored eight of her 14 points in the opening quarter, while Carter helped the Eagles pull down eight offensive boards in the first eight minutes.

Add in eight points from Avery Schone in the first period and the Eagles were well on their way to victory.

“They hurt us a lot on the boards with their second and third efforts,” Savage said.

Trailing 34-7 at halftime, the Jackets were able to get things going a little in the third quarter, scoring eight in that frame. But, it wasn’t enough as Big Walnut still poured in 17 in the third.

The Jackets got a solid game from Stella Bainbridge, who had two 3-pointers en route to a team-high eight points. She also led the team with six rebounds.

Cora Lepley added four points for MV, while Celina Fritsch had three points. McKenna Brokaw and Addi Christopher both scored two points.

“We hung in there and kept trying. Now, it’s up to me to get them better,” Savage said. “We want to improve. It just might take a while adjusting to varsity competition.. It’s either time to rise up or get kicked. It’s up to me to help them understand that.”

Facemyer led the Eagles with 14 points and seven rebounds. Avery Schone added 12 points, while Carter had eight points and Jordan Walters had seven. Alyssa Tarney checked in with six points and six assists.

The Jackets’ game with Licking Heights originally scheduled for Dec. 4 has been moved to Jan. 17, so their next game will be Dec. 9 against Columbus DeSales.