Blackhawk girls hold off Central Valley charge in Section 2-4A contest

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 7, 2019 | 10:26 PM

Blackhawk’s girls basketball team knows it can always rely on its defense.

After watching Central Valley whittle a 21-point deficit to nine points in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game, the Cougars’ defense stood strong and helped the team preserve a 64-53 home win in a WPIAL Section 2-4A battle.

“We took our foot off the pedal a little too much. We got comfortable with our 21-point lead,” Blackhawk senior guard Mady Aulbach said. “We understand that, against a great team like CV and in this section, we can’t do that. Our defense always steps up when we need it, though.”

Defense is what helped break open the game for Blackhawk (9-2, 4-0). After the Warriors (9-1, 3-1) posted a 17-16 lead through the first, the Cougars went to work on the defensive end. Guards Olivia Roberts, Mackenzie Amalia, Sierra Richard and Aulbach created 15 Central Valley turnovers with relentless pressure. Jolie Strati, Ava Haddox and Alivia Thompson dominated the glass, too.

Blackhawk opened the second with a 14-3 run to take command. Aulbach ended the first half with a long 3-pointer that banked off the glass and went in at the buzzer for a 36-27 lead.

“I knew there was so much arc on it that it was going to bank,” Aulbach said. “I said, ‘bank!’ under my breath and kind of looked away. When it went in, my team went crazy, so that was really fun.

“Our team has so much fire and will to win. We wanted to set the tone early in the section, but I think nerves were getting to us in the first half.”

There were no nerves for Aulbach in the third quarter. The Youngstown State recruit swished four 3-pointers for 12 of her game-high 22 points in the frame. During one stretch, she drained treys on three straight Blackhawk possessions.

“When I play big teams, that’s when I get hyped. I just want to set the tone. The team really moves the ball well and they got it to me when I was open. I just want to win for them and hit the big shots for them,” she said. “In the first half, Central Valley was doing a great job pressuring me. In the second half, my mindset was to shoot it when I was open.”

Aulbach’s outburst helped Blackhawk post a 54-33 advantage at the buzzer.

“You look at your best players and you want them to step up in the biggest games. Mady did that,” Blackhawk coach Steve Lodovico said. “I thought she was phenomenal when the lights were the brightest and we needed some big shots. I thought Ava Haddox hit some big shots in the third to get us going, as well.”

Central Valley responded in the fourth quarter. Christiane Fry started a 10-0 run with a basket and a free throw. Kaitlyn Lyons hit a jumper and Allyson Kirby drained a trey. Kaelyn Underwood’s basket cut the Warriors’ deficit to 54-43 with 4:43 to go.

“As a coach that’s what you want to see from your kids. We could have folded it up and got on the bus, and we didn’t do that. That’s maturity,” Central Valley coach Chris Raso said. “If we’re taking one positive from this, that’s the one.”

Central Valley got within nine points, 58-49, with 2:18 to play, but the Cougars held off the charge for the victory.

“We create our tempo. Once we get the up-and-down game going, we can score really well in transition. That’s what we were able to do in the second and third quarters,” Lodovico said.

“In the fourth quarter, we weren’t able to do that so much and we were sloppy with the ball. But, I love how they played in the second and third quarters after being in a tight first. I am very proud of these girls. I love these girls and this team. They are fun to coach. I love the style and how hard they play. It’s great to see how well they work together.”

The Warriors hope to cut down on the turnovers the next time the teams meet — Jan. 31 at Central Valley.

“We just have to take care of the basketball. Against a team like that and those caliber of players, you can’t turn the ball over like that,” Raso said. “We told the kids that it’s not the end of the world. We still have two more games left before the second half of section play. We have to do what we have to do and maybe we’ll get another shot at them at our place for what we’re going after.”

Amalia added 18 points for Blackhawk, while Kirby led Central Valley with 14. Underwood added 13 and Harlee Johns had 11.

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Blackhawk, Central Valley