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Creek Valley’s Lady Storm basketball team earned their first win of the season, beating the visiting Potter-Dix Lady Coyotes 50-to-26, marking the first time the Lady Coyotes have come away losers in Chappell since 2006. The Lady Coyotes have now started the season 0-and-3, struggling to find the right mix of players to regain the success of last year’s 17-and-3 campaign.
Both teams started slowly, with bumping and battling from both sides resulting in turnovers and fouls, and a low scoring 6-to-5 lead by the Lady Strom at the end of the first quarter. As the second quarter progressed, the Lady Storm found their scoring groove, sinking two consecutive three-pointers by senior Haylee Sitzman and junior Catie Koenen. Creek Valley senior Chloe Miltehner scored nine points in the quarter, including a three pointer of her own, to give the Lady Storm a 25-to-11 halftime lead.
In the third period, the teams reverted to their undisciplined playing styles of the 1st period. Back came the pushing and shoving resulting in turnovers and fouls, while Potter-Dix struggled with hitting shots in the paint, keeping them from mounting any kind of comeback in the period. As Creek Valley took control, their passing game took advantage of the Lady Coyotes aggressiveness, and were able to get off high percentage shots with success. The Lady Storm continued the defensive pressure, forcing bad shots from the Lady Coyotes, and extended their lead to 47-to-19 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final period, the Lady Storm kept up the defensive pressure, shutting off the inside lanes and letting no shot from the outside go uncontested. Creek Valley dominated the boards, giving Potter-Dix very few offensive rebounding opportunities while working their passing game on offense to get easy inside shots. The Lady Storm pulled away for a victory with a final score of 50-to-26, earning their first victory of the season.
Creek Valley head coach Missy Koenen was pleased with the team’s first victory of the season, saying, “Overall, I was very impressed with the aggressive play of the girls tonight, it just seemed that no matter who I put in they really gelled together as one team. The girls are getting into better game shape which allows me to play the starting five longer.”
Creek Valley senior Haley Sitzman had 14 points, six rebounds and a steal in the victory, while junior Catie Koenen finished with 12 points, four rebounds and six steals. The Lady Storm were scheduled to host the Maxwell Lady Wildcats in Chappell on Tuesday.
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