Down one, but not out
KARNS CITY — An injury to one of a team’s top players can derail its season.
Karns City’s girls basketball team is determined to not let that happen.
The Gremlins lost starting point guard Chloe Fritch for the season to a knee injury in a loss to Punxsutawney in mid-January.
“We could never fill her role, but what we can do is work together and find a way to win games,” said Karns City coach Steve Andreassi.
The Gremlins have done just that. In the six games since Fritch left the lineup, the Gremlins are 5-1, including a 52-34 victory over visiting West Shamokin on Wednesday.
“A point guard’s job is to drive and kick and drive and finish,” added Andreassi. “We’d missed that with Chloe out until tonight. We did a good job of getting to the basket and had a number of players getting it done.”
Many of those drives and buckets came from sophomore guard Naomi Venesky, who posted her third 16-point game since the injury to Fritch, who sat behind KC’s bench Wednesday with her right leg in a brace. The Gremlins led 22-14 at halftime before breaking the game open in the third quarter, thanks in large part to Venesky’s four baskets in the period. Her pair of two-pointers late in the third put KC up 37-23.
“We’re asking a lot of Naomi, but she’s been very efficient with her shots,” Andreassi said.
Brooklynn Taylor led all scorers with 22 points for the Gremlins.
“We knew it would be tough losing Chloe, but from the coaches and all the players, it’s a mentality of let’s play for Chloe,” Taylor said. “Everyone has to pick up their play.”
Lily Jordan scored 14 points for the Wolves, who compete in District 6.
Hannah Buchanan, who scored seven points for KC, was honored prior to the game as the team’s lone senior.
The Gremlins (14-6) have managed a trio of four-game winning streaks this season. They have two regular season games left, against Union/A-C Valley and Butler. KC has earned a spot in the KSAC Tournament, which will be held prior to the District 9 playoffs.
WEST SHAMOKIN 34
Madi Keirn 1 0-0 2, Aleya Talmadge 2 0-0 6, Melena Stewart 4 0-0 8, Lily Jordan 4 6-8 14, Maria Young 2 0-0 4, Maya McIlwain 0 0-0 0, Taylor George 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 6-8 34.
KARNS CITY 52
Naomi Venesky 7 2-2 16, Hanna Dailey 1 0-0 2, Savanna Prescott 2 0-0 4, Hannah Buchanan 3 1-2 7, Brooklynn Taylor 9 2-2 22, Phoebe Brandon 0 1-2 1, Nicole Huff 0 0-2 0, Hannah Summerville 0 0-0 0, Trinity McFarland 0 0-0 0, Mya Jones 0 0-0 0, Allison Surman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 6-10 52.
West Shamokin 10 4 9 11 — 34
Karns City 13 9 15 15 — 52
3-point goals: West Shamokin 2 (Talmadge 2); Karns City 2 (Taylor 2).
Thursday: Karns City at Union/A-C Valley
