Redbank rallies to defeat KC girls
KARNS CITY — Wins over your top two rivals would be a great way to open the second half of the high school basketball season.
Karns City’s girls toppled Moniteau last Friday and had KSAC heavyweight Redbank Valley on the ropes Tuesday.
However, a 10-point lead evaporated in the fourth quarter before the visiting Bulldogs prevailed, 46-40, in overtime.
Redbank (10-2) has not been defeated by a District 9 team this season.
“We’re not a young team anymore. All of the girls on the court for us tonight have been playing for at least two years,” said KC coach Steve Andreassi. “This was a chance for us to take that next step and we couldn’t do it.”
Turnovers, nine of them between the fourth quarter and the extra period, were at the heart of the Gremlins’ demise.
“We were out there playing as individuals and not as a team,” Andreassi said. “Girls were dribbling in the open court with no teammates around, on an island. With the press Redbank was playing, we were prey.”
After the Bulldogs grabbed an early lead in overtime, KC got even at 38-all with a basket from Savanna Prescott. But Elaina Carrico and Addy Bond drained back-to-back treys for Redbank, putting it up 44-38 with just 1:35 left.
The Bulldogs, who had scored just a combined nine points between the second and third quarters, slowly closed the gap in the fourth. Mylee Harmon, Kira Bonanno, Isabella Bond and Addy Bond each contributed to their team’s 15-5 run in the period.
Bonanno tied the game with 50 seconds left. Isabella Bond had a chance to win it at the buzzer. Her shot was off, but Redbank had the momentum entering overtime.
“We talked to our girls before the game about not getting frustrated,” said Bulldogs coach Chris Edmonds. “It got to the fourth quarter and we turned up the pressure and that made a big difference.”
Chloe Fritch and Hanna Dailey paced KC to its 31-21 lead after three quarters.
Fritch and Dailey both scored 12 points for the Gremlins (8-4), who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
Harmon, RV’s star junior guard, was held to just nine shot attempts from the floor in the first three quarters, but still led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Addy Bond added 13.
“We did so well for three and a half quarters, but then we lost focus and it came at both ends of the court,” said Andreassi.
The Gremlins host Clarion on Thursday.
REDBANK VALLEY 46
Elaina Carrico 1 0-0 3, Addy Bond 5 1-2 13, Kira Bonanno 2 3-4 7, Mylee Harmon 5 6-9 16, Isabella Bond 3 0-0 7. Totals: 16 10-15 46.
KARNS CITY 40
Naomi Venesky 1 2-2 4, Chloe Fritch 4 3-4 12, Hanna Dailey 5 0-0 12, Savanna Prescott 4 0-0 8, Brooklynn Taylor 2 0-0 4, Hannah Buchanan 0 0-0 0, Phoebe Brandon 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 5-6 40.
Redbank Valley 12 5 4 15 10 — 46
Karns City 8 12 11 5 4 — 40
3-point goals: Redbank Valley 4 (A.Bond 2, Carrico, I.Bond); Karns City 3 (Dailey 2, Fritch).
Thursday: Clarion at Karns City
