PUNXSUTAWNEY — Two weeks ago, Moniteau's girls basketball team traveled to Punxsutawney for a regular season game dominated by the home team.

The Chucks scored 30 points in the first quarter on their way to a 69-40 rout.

The Warriors returned Friday, this time with the District 9 Class 3A title on the line. A span of the first half gave Moniteau hope that the rematch would turn out differently.

The Warriors opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run, tying the game at 21.

But Punxsy's defense and balanced scoring soon took over as the Chucks went on to capture their seventh straight district crown with a 60-37 win.

“We just didn't play well in that first game and I think the girls were a bit shell-shocked,” said Moniteau coach Dee Arblaster. “Our shot selection wasn't that good tonight and there were times when we passed up opportunities from the outside.”

Camryn Fallen and Aslyn Pry accounted for all nine points in Moniteau's run in the first three minutes of the second period.

The Chucks (18-0) turned to outside shooting to regain control of the game.

Chloe Presloid hit two treys while Danielle Griebel and Riley Presloid both drained one as Punxsy poured a 17-2 run on the Warriors in the final 4:20 of the first half and led 38-23 at the break.

“With our (lack of) size, we rely a lot on outside shots,” said Punxsy coach Mike Carlson. “When we're cold, it can look ugly at times. But when we start hitting shots, we can score quickly.

“These girls have a lot of experience of winning in the playoffs,” he added. “I think that helped us when (Moniteau) had that run. We'd been here before and the girls know how to react.”

The Warriors (14-10) were unable to take advantage of another cold spell that hit the Chucks, who did not score for the first four minutes of the second half.

The Warriors, who were hampered by 22 turnovers in the game, managed only Catherine Kelly's trey in that span and when Punxsy's offense recovered, it still had a double-digit lead to build on.

Pry, a senior forward, scored 23 points and controlled 19 rebounds for Moniteau.

“Teams have keyed on her all year,” said Arblaster. “We needed others to step up, but we're a young team and this was a great learning experience.

“Aslyn was a great leader for us and she'll be missed.”

Riley Presloid scored 17 points to lead the Chucks. Sarah Weaver added 15 and Chloe Presloid chipped in 12.

“We tried a box-and-one on defense for a while tonight, but they have so many players who can score,” said Arblaster. “It was a struggle to get games in this year, but this (playing for the district title) is where we thought we could be.”

MONITEAU 37

Aslyn Pry 7 8-12 23, Catherine Kelly 3 0-0 7, Abbey Jewart 1 0-1 3, Camryn Fallen 0 2-2 2, Victoria Pry 1 0-0 2, Abby Rottman 0 0-2 0, Zoey Hillwig 0 0-0 0, Autumn Stewart 0 0-0 0, Davina Pry 0 0-0 0, Brynne Barger 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 10-17 37.

PUNXSUTAWNEY 60

Sarah Weaver 6 2-2 15, Riley Presloid 7 0-0 17, Chloe Presloid 4 2-2 12, Kierstin Riley 3 0-0 6, Katelyn Griebel 1 2-2 4, Danielle Griebel 2 1-2 6. Totals: 23 7-8 60.

Moniteau 12 11 10 4 — 37

Punxsutawney21 17 8 14 — 60

3-point goals: Moniteau 3 (A. Pry, Kelly, Jewart); Punxsutawney 7 (R. Presloid 3, C. Presloid 2, D. Griebel, Weaver)