KARNS CITY — Monday night, Karns City's challenge was a tall one. Literally.

The Gremlins' girls basketball team encountered a Redbank Valley squad featuring a quartet of 6-foot-0 starters. Even the Bulldogs' point guard — sophomore Brooke Hinderliter — stands 5-foot-8.

Karns City gave up ground early on, battled back and ended up scoring the game's most crucial points in a 43-36 KSAC-South win on its home floor.

LeeAnn Gibson scored a game-high 22 points in the win, which kept the Gremlins (10-0) undefeated.

“We had to want it tonight,” said Gremlins' junior guard Annie Hegedus, who scored eight points. “We pushed through and found a way to win.”

KC entered the final period with a slim 29-28 lead, but Redbank's Emma Kennemuth scored a bucket with 3:33 remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 36-35 edge. Unfortunately for the visitors, it would be the last points they would score.

Shanel Preston hit two free throws with 3:14 on the clock that gave KC the lead for good and Gibson followed with a basket at 2:42.

There were seven jumpballs in the final quarter alone, as the Bulldogs could smell victory. In the end, though, the team's offense ran out of gas.

Redbank Valley committed four turnovers in the final two and a half minutes. When the Bulldogs did get a shot off, it was under heavy pressure from Karns City's defense.

“I'm not going to say we panicked, but we rushed some passes,” said Redbank coach Jason Kerr. “Karns City made us pay for those. They are a great team and are undefeated for a reason.”

“I expected a battle tonight,” said KC coach Dave Kerschbaumer. “We tried to put bodies on them from the start, but we didn't do too well early on.”

Indeed, it was the Bulldogs (8-4) who grabbed the early momentum. Kennemuth, a center, sank three baskets in the period, finishing the quarter with seven of her team-high 17 points.

Redbank's defense also stymied the Gremlins, forcing six turnovers as the Bulldogs led 13-8 after eight minutes of play.

“We wanted to slow things down and play a half-court game,” said Kerr. “We came out with a lot of energy, but knew we couldn't keep that pace for an entire game.”

Beginning in the second period, Gibson began to assert herself. After being held to just three points and no field goals in the first quarter, she knocked down three shots from the field in the second and finished the half with 11 points.

“She's a hard-nosed kid who isn't going to back down from anybody,” said Kerschbaumer. “She knows she's going to get hacked a lot near the basket, but she is now physically strong enough to take it.”

The game was tied at 18 at halftime and the Gremlins never did allow Redbank to enjoy the upper hand the way the Bulldogs did early in the game.

Despite their size, the Bulldogs attempted just four free throws, compared to 24 for the Gremlins.

Kaelyn Gruver, a junior forward, added 11 points for Redbank, but Hinderliter, who normally scores in double digits, was held to just four points.

“If Brooke has her normal game, we're walking out of here with a win,” said Kerr, “but Karns City just kept coming after us.”

The Gremlins travel to North Clarion Wednesday, beginning a three-week stretch in which the team will play nine games.

“I don't even mention anything about our record to the girls,” said Kerschbaumer. “Right now, we're just focused on taking care of our bodies and being mentally prepared for the grind over the next few weeks.”

REDBANK VALLEY 36

Emma Kennemuth 8 1-2 17, Brooke Hinderliter 2 0-0 4, Kaelyn Gruver 5 1-2 11, Madison McClaine 2 0-0 4, Megan Bain 0 0-0 0, Cassie Fink 0 0-0 0, Megan Nolf 0 0-0 0, Becca Dougherty 0 0-0 0, Samantha Gourley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 2-4 36.

KARNS CITY 43

Emily Schumacher 0 1-2 1, Shanel Preston 0 2-2 2, Annie Hegedus 3 1-2 8, Emily LoPresti 3 1-2 8, LeeAnn Gibson 7 8-16 22, Alyssa Gibson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 13-24 43.

Redbank Valley 13 5 10 8 — 36

Karns City 8 10 11 14 — 43

3-point goals: Karns City 2 (Hegedus, LoPresti).

JV: Karns City 50-14

Wednesday: Karns City at North Clarion