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Defense leads Red Riders to first win

STEUBENVILLE – Defense made the difference.

The Weir girls’ basketball team limited Catholic Central to single digits in each of the first three quarters while the Red Riders reached double figures in all four quarters en route to a 52-27 victory over the Crusaders Monday night at Catholic Central.

“That is the best all-around game we have played all year, offensively and defensively,” Weir (1-5) head coach Bill Smith said. “The kids shared the ball. We were able to exert defensive pressure on them with our press. Our press caused turnovers which led to easy buckets.”

The Red Riders led by as many as 31 points (49-18).

“It was a rough night definitely,” Catholic Central (2-7) head coach Tommy Winland said. “Their press gave us problems all night. Their press caused us to throw passes we don’t normally make. It caused us to do a lot of things we don’t normally do period, whether it was making a bad pass, or taking a bad shot or driving when we shouldn’t have or taking a dribble when we shouldn’t have. Give credit to Weir. Their pressure got to us.”

Alyssa Shingle scored a game-high 18 points to lead the way for Weir. The senior guard has now scored 813 points in her career.

Also, Raegan Stead delivered 16 points and Selena Wolverton netted 11 points.

“They are a typical Catholic Central team,” Smith said. “Tommy does a good job with them. They are well coached. They play hard. When you come over to this arena, you know you have to come ready to play.”

Central’s Alex McComb contributed a team-high eight points to lead the way. Brittany Bertoia tallied five points.

“In the fourth quarter and in part of the third quarter, that was all freshmen and sophomores,” Winland said about his lineup. “We are going to find five players who want to be on the floor. It doesn’t matter if they are freshmen or seniors. If you want to play, we will find a spot on the floor for you.”

The Red Riders led from start to finish.

Weir led 12-4 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, a 3-pointer by Wolverton gave the visitors from Hancock County a 20-4 advantage. At that point, the Red Riders made as many 3-pointers as the Crusaders had points. Weir led 24-10 at halftime.

The Red Riders extended their lead to 36-14 entering the fourth quarter.

“It is nice to get a win,” Smith said. “I was worried about how the girls would respond after Saturday’s debacle.”

Both teams are scheduled to return to the court Wednesday. Weir will play at East Liverpool, while Catholic Central plays Conotton Valley at home.

“East Liverpool is up and down,” Smith said. “It was a good team effort tonight. Everyone who played contributed to the victory.”

Weir 52, Catholic Central 27

Weir 12 12 12 16 – 52

Catholic Central 4 6 4 13 – 27

WEIR (1-5): Wolverton 5 0-0 11, Stead 5 4-7 16, Shingle 5 6-8 18, Dalrymple 1 0-0 2, Stevens 0 0-0 0, Kelly 0 0-0 0, Robinson 0 1-2 1, Smith 0 0-0 0, Dobosz 1 0-0 2, Harper 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 11-17 52. 3-Pointers: Stead 2, Shingle 2, Wolverton.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL (2-7): Torrance 0 0-0 0, Re. Dziewatoski 2 0-0 4, Virtue 0 0-0 0, Parkinson 1 0-0 3,M. Mirabella 1 0-0 2, McComb 4 0-2 8, Hunt 0 1-2 1, S. Mirabella 1 0-0 2, Bertoia 2 0-0 5, Simmons 0 0-0 0, Capaldi 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 1-4 27. 3-Pointers: Parkinson, Bertoia.

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