Speed kills
SLIPPERY ROCK — Speed, speed.
And more speed.
The Slippery Rock High girls basketball team has a lot of it and the Rockets showed it off Friday night against Keystone.
They zoomed into passing lanes. They rocketed to the hoop. They caused mayhem — and 40 Keystone turnovers.
It all led to a convincing season-opening 60-31 win in Slippery Rock's tournament.
The fastest of them all it seemed was freshman Anna Kadlubek. The point guard flashed her quickness and her huge upside with 17 points and a six steals.
“She has that burst,” said Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn. “She has one speed and sometimes you have to tame her back in a good way. You need her on the floor and all she does is bring you good things.”
Kadlubek didn't look intimidated by her first varsity game.
She scored five points during an 8-0 run that began the game for the Rockets and had nine points in a big third quarter for Slippery Rock.
“I'm all over her all the time,” said Osborn, who was a standout earlier in her own career at point guard at Grove City High School when she was a player. “I told her I'm all over you because I've been in your position. I've made the same mistakes and I don't want you to make them. I told her don't take it as an insult, it's just because of the potential she has as a freshman. The biggest thing she has is speed. Not even Macy (McCall) can beat her in practice in sprints.”
Emma McDermott, in her first game since tearing her ACL early last season, also scored 17 points for Slippery Rock. McCall added 13 points and a handful of steals.
Those three could be the foundation of some very promising things for the Rockets this season.
“I feel like this year we're more spaced out and teams don't know who to hone in on,” Osborn said. “I'm so happy to have (Emma) back. Her consistency on her shooting has been great. I told her she has the green light no matter where she is on the floor.”
Slippery Rock, however, started a bit slowly after its initial burst.
Keystone rallied and tied the game at 12-12 late in the first quarter, but Slippery Rock was able to push the lead back to 12 points by the half and cruised in the final two quarters.
Slippery Rock will play Mercyhurst Prep Saturday.
“Overall I'm pleased,” Osborn said. “Are we going to face more pressure (Saturday)? Heck yeah,” Osborn said.
KEYSTONE 31
Alyssa Dunlap 1-1 0-0 2, McKenzie Hovis 2-6 0-0 4, Taylor Geer 4-11 5-6 13, Danica Hurrelbrink 0-3 0-0 0, Makenzie Byerley 1-3 0-0 2, Tessa Weaver 2-7 0-3 4, Emily Lauer 3-5 0-1 6, Madison Dunlap 0-2 0-0 0, Ceayra Altman 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 13-39 5-9 31.
SLIPPERY ROCK 60
Maryann Ackerman 1-10 2-6 4, Emma McDermott 7-18 2-4 17, Jenna Heitzenrater 1-7 3-6 5, Macy McCall 5-11 2-4 13, Anna Kadlubek 6-13 5-6 17, Ashley Shea 1-2 0-1 2, Annika Peale 0-1 0-0 0, Isabelle Willison 0-1 2-2 2, Gina Coffaro 0-0 0-0 0, Kelly Benson 0-0 0-0 0, Madigan Roxberry 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor Balint 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-63 16-30 60.
Keystone 12 7 6 6 — 31
Slippery Rock14 17 20 9 — 60
3-point goals: Slippery Rock 2 (McDermott, McCall)
Saturday: Slippery Rock vs. Mercyhurst Prep, 5:30 p.m.
