Seasoned PT takes down Wash High
Peters Township’s Alyssa Konopka dribbles past Wash High’s Nicole Hoffman for a layup during the first half of Monday’s non-section game. The Indians jumped out to a commanding lead and never looked back against the Prexies. Peters Township improved to 3-0 before the start of its Section 4-AAAA schedule Thursday at Baldwin.
Peters Township’s Cameron Morgan fights for a rebound Monday against Washington.
McMURRAY- When Peters Township girls basketball head coach Bert Kendall took over in 2012, he inherited a young team not quite ready to compete.
Now, three years into the job, the Indians are slowly coming together.
Wash High found out Monday night as Peters Township defeated the Prexies, 56-29. The Indians improved their record to 3-0.
“We’re still young,” said Kendall. “But instead of being all freshman and sophomores, we are now mostly sophomores and juniors. We are starting to figure out the way we need to come out and play every night.”
Mikala Maltony gave the Prexies an early 3-2 lead with a three-pointer, but PT put together an 18-3 run to close the first quarter and take a commanding 20-6 lead.
The Indians extended that lead in the second quarter as their size led to a decisive rebounding edge and a big advantage when it came to points in the paint.
That helped the Indians build a 34-10 lead at the half.
Most of the damage was done underneath by sophomore Emily Konwick, who finished with 15 points and dominated play inside.
“We knew we had a size advantage, so that was a focus going in,” said Kendall. “With (Konwick) and Cameron Morgan, we can get some nice high-low action, and we got them some quality touches tonight.”
When Wash High (1-2) did possess the basketball, they had problems holding onto it as the aggressive PT defense forced plenty of Prexies turnovers that resulted in easy transition baskets.
The Prexies did a better job of competing in the second half, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome.
“We knew we would have our hands full with them,” said Wash High head coach Mike Maltony. “We are just trying to get rid of the ball too quick at times and not making the right play. I think there was one span we threw it away seven or eight times in a row. We have some talent. We are just going to have to take some time to develop it.”
In addition to the big game from Konwick, the Indians also got 15 points from junior Madison Kerr. When it was all said and done, 10 different PT players found their way into the scoring column.
The Prexies were led by Mikala Maltony, who finished with nine points.
The Indians will look to make it four straight wins when they open Section 4-AAAA play Thursday at Baldwin.
“I’m thrilled about the start to the season,” said Kendall. “That being said, it is a long season and we know we have a long way to go. We have a big test in front of us on Thursday.”