Gritty in defeat
KARNS CITY — Five minutes into the third quarter, Karns City had managed only three field goals on the day.
And had the lead.
Rosie Carden drained a pair of free throws with 3:17 left in the period to give the Lady Gremlins a 14-13 edge on undefeated Keystone in a battle of District 9 basketball contenders Saturday in the Karns City gym.
KC (6-2) couldn't sustain its lone lead of the day, however, dropping a 32-19 decision and seeing its six-game winning streak come to an end.
“That's the best defense we've seen this year. I don't we'll see one better,” Karns City coach Steve Andreassi said. “We just couldn't get anything going.”
Keystone coach Josh Almes offered similar words as both teams were held to a season-low in point production.
“We haven't played a team that jams the lanes like they do,” Almes said. “I give that team a lot of credit. We had to work for everything we got and that wasn't much.”
But it was enough.
The two teams combined for 14 field goals on 71 shots. Karns City did not register a field goal until Emma Johns sank a trey with four minutes left in the first half. But that shot pulled the Lady Gremlins within 7-6.
“We hung in there with our defense,” Andreassi said. “That team has three starters in their fourth year. They have a lot of experience and are as good as anybody in the district.
“For three-plus quarters, we were right in this game. I'm very encouraged by that.”
After Carden's free throws gave KC that 14-13 lead, Keystone (6-0) went on a 19-2 run. The burst lasted until the final seconds of the game.
Johns sank a trey at the final buzzer for the Lady Gremlins' only points of the fourth quarter.
“Johns is a shooter and our game-plan was to limit her opportunities,” Almes said. “She has a quick release and doesn't need much room. I liked the way we stayed with her.”
Jozee Weaver's trey with 1:53 left in the third period gave the Panthers a 16-14 edge, the lead they never lost. Emily Lauer closed the period by sinking an 8-footer for a five-point lead.
Seven of Keystone's final nine points came on free throws as KC was forced to foul late in the contest.
Lauer had 10 points, seven rebounds, five steals and three assists for the Panthers. Weaver added 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Johns had 11 points and six rebounds for Karns City. Abby Callihan and Rossi McMillen had five rebounds each.
The Lady Gremlins had 21 turnovers to Keystone's 10.
“We have a lot of things we need to work on,” Andreassi said. “You learn from playing teams like this.”
KEYSTONE 32Emily Laurer 2-12 5-7 10, Maddie Dunlap 1-6 3-5 5, Faith Young 0-0 0-0 0, Danae Hurrelbrink 2-9 0-1 5, Jozee Weaver 3-12 3-4 10, Natalie Bowser 1-5 0-0 2. Totals: 9-44 11-17 32.
KARNS CITY 19McKenna Martin 0-1 0-0 0, Brooke Manuel 0-1 1-2 1, Rossi McMillen 1-6 0-0 2, Alyson Fennell 0-0 0-2 0, Rosie Carden 0-4 3-3 3, Abby Callihan 1-5 0-0 2, Emma Johns 3-10 3-4 11. Totals: 5-27 7-11 19.Keystone 2 11 6 13 — 32Karns City2 8 6 3 — 193-point goals: Lauer, Hurrelbrink, Weaver; Johns 2JV: No gameTuesday: Karns City at North Clarion
