Centerburg's girls basketball team won its third game of the season, beating Licking Valley 44-35.
A young Centerburg (3-4) squad overcame an eight-point first-quarter deficit to earn a 44-35 non-conference victory over the Licking Valley Panthers (2-6) on Saturday. It was the second consecutive win for the young Lady Trojans.
Junior Kennedi Glenn scored three three-pointers to lead the Trojans with nine points. Kayla Larimore and Kenlee Fairall added eight points each.
Centerburg has only one senior on the varsity roster. They started two juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman against the Panthers.
“We’re a young team and we’re trying to learn how to win,” Centerburg head Coach Bo Glenn said. “We’ve been in very close games this year and when we learn what it takes to be prepared, the wins will start coming.”
Centerburg fell behind 14-6 at the end of the first quarter but took a 22-20 lead following a 16-point second-quarter effort from Glenn, Fairall, and Tiara Sheppard.
The Trojans went on a 9-0 run after a slow start to open the second half. They hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc, extending their advantage to 39-28.
Licking Valley was playing a back-to-back game following a loss at Licking County League rival Watkins Memorial on Friday night.
“It’s rough; you gotta do what you gotta do,” Licking Valley head Coach Duane Wood said. "Hopefully, the kids got a good night’s rest. We prepped about 10 minutes ago and we hope the kids understand it.”
Despite being outscored in the fourth quarter, Centerburg was able to put the game away against a physical opponent by spreading the floor and taking advantage of Licking Valley’s foul troubles.
The Lady Trojans switched from a high-post offense and focused on milking the clock during the last four minutes of the game.
“We lost the game earlier in the year with a seven-point lead with a minute and a half to go,” Glenn said. “We kept shooting and shooting, so I’m trying to help them learn.”
Centerburg controlled the clock entering the fourth quarter by moving the ball around the perimeter rather than taking shots.
“We had the lead, and if they foul us, we shoot free throws,” Glenn said. “I’d much rather shoot free throws than threes all day long, especially with our lead.”
Centerburg struggled early against the Panther’s zone defense.
“That’s really the first time we’ve seen a zone all year, so I’m really not too concerned, especially since we came out on top,” Glenn said.
The Panthers scored only 15 points in the second half against a more aggressive Trojan defense.
“In the second half, we played five girls; that really turned the game around,” Glenn said. “We went full-court, man, and it really helped us get some early deflection, steals, and easy buckets.”
Centerburg had a distinct edge at the charity stripe. The Trojans were 12-of-19 from the free-throw line, while Licking Valley went 4-of-6.
“We want to get to the line 20 times, that’s our goal; we got there 19,” Glenn said.
Glenn realizes his team is young and is focused on growth.
“I really like how hard we play and I really like the energy in practice; it's better than it’s ever been the last four years for us.”
Six Lady Trojans scored points, but none were in double figures; in addition to Kennedi Glenn, Larimor, and Fairall, Claire Johnson had seven points; Evie Stowe had six points, and Tiara Sheppard had six points, rounding out Centerburg.
Avery Williams and Rylee Hillis led Licking Valley with eight points each.
Centerburg plays Cardington-Lincoln next on Dec. 22 at Mount Vernon Nazarene's 5th Annual Wendy’s MVNUnited Holiday HOOPLA at 6:30 p.m.
