Karns City girls basketball wins 8th straight as Taylor Ritzert takes over vs Clarion-Limestone

January 30, 2026 Last Updated: January 30, 2026 10:14 PM Sports

Karns City’s Taylor Ritzert (21) drives to the basket against a Clarion-Limestone defender in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

KARNS CITY — If defense wins championships, Karns City is in pretty good shape.

The Gremlins limited Clarion-Limestone to a season-low 31 points, forcing 17 turnovers while allowing just nine field goals in a 42-31 District 9 girls basketball victory Friday night in the KC gym.

The win was Karns City’s eighth in a row and avenged a 44-41 loss at C-L on Jan. 7. The Gremlins have an average victory margin of 24 points since that defeat.

“We allowed them to dictate play to us that night,” KC senior Naomi Venesky said of the Gremlins’ last defeat. “We wanted to dictate play tonight, and I think we did that to a degree.”

Karns City (16-2) trailed 7-5 midway through the first quarter before going on a 22-2 run, opening up a 27-9 lead with 2:57 left in the first half. The Lions (12-6) drew as close as 35-28 with six minutes remaining before a 7-0 KC run over the next two minutes sealed the deal.

“That run they had was just too much to overcome,” C-L coach Jared Beggs said. “We got within seven, but Karns City plays the best defense in the state. It (complete comeback) didn’t happen for us.”

While the Lions do not have a senior on their roster, junior Hannah Beggs averages 18 points per game. She was limited to six points Friday night, sinking only one of seven field goal attempts.

C-L managed only six field goals in the first three quarters.

“Defense is our staple, and it was a total team effort tonight,” KC coach Steve Andreassi said. “We had four different girls guarding Beggs at different times. When we lost at their place, she was able to drive to the basket while we were settling for 3s.

“Tonight, we wanted to keep them from driving to the hoop while we got to the hoop. We succeeded at both ends. We’re giving up an average of 31 points per game this season, so that was our goal as well.”

Karns City’s Naomi Venesky (1) guards a Clarion-Limestone player in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

The Lions’ previous low point total this year was 37 against Otto-Eldred last week.

Freshman point guard Taylor Ritzert led the Gremlins with a career-high 18 points. She sank a pair of treys in the first quarter and netted 12 points in the first half, helping key that 22-2 run for her team.

“I didn’t expect to do anything like this tonight in terms of scoring,” Ritzert said. “But they were leaning more toward Naomi defensively and that was opening things up for the rest of us.

“We knew this was a big game tonight. It was going to be a battle, and we needed everyone to step up.”

Ritzert’s performance left a big smile on Venesky’s face.

“I love it. Her effort was so big for us,” Venesky said. “It’s important to get contributions from everyone. We did tonight, in different ways.”

Ritzert had three steals to go with her 18 points. Venesky tallied 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Hanna Dailey had six rebounds and three assists while Madison Mahood came off the bench to snare five boards.

Andreassi said Ritzert “dedicates her life to basketball and it showed tonight. She is constantly working to get better.”

“Taylor hit a couple of treys early, so we had to come out and get her,” Coach Beggs said. “She has quick feet, beat us off the dribble and got to the basket. She had an outstanding game.

“We didn’t have the greatest night shooting, but they (Gremlins) weren’t allowing much room out there, either. Every team would love to play defense like they do.”

Kalyssa Ferguson led C-L with eight points. Julianna Schwabenbauer had six rebounds.

CLARION-LIMESTONE 31

Kalyssa Ferguson 2-3 4-8 8, Raegan Love 2-7 0-0 6, Julianna Schwabenbauer 2-6 3-3 7, Corinne Hepfl 0-0 0-0 0, Brooke Meals 1-4 0-0 2, Hannah Beggs 1-7 4-4 6, Erika Meals 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 9-30 11-15 31.

KARNS CITY 42

Naomi Venesky 4-10 5-10 13, Hannah Summerville 0-4 1-2 1, Alivia Farren 0-3 0-0 0, Hanna Dailey 2-7 0-0 5, Taylor Ritzert 8-11 0-0 18, Audrey Heginbotham 1-3 1-2 3, Madson Mahood 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 16-41 7-14 42.

Clarion-Limestone 7 8 8 8 — 31

Karns City 12 18 5 7 — 42

3-point goals: Clarion-Limestone 2 (Love 2), Karns City 3 (Dailey, Ritzert 2)

Monday: Moniteau at Karns City

Karns City freshman Taylor Ritzert (21) shoots a layup against Clarion-Limestone in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

Karns City senior Naomi Venesky (1) shoots a layup against Clarion-Limestone in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

Karns City freshman Camryn King (2) shoots a layup against Clarion-Limestone in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

Karns City forward Hannah Summerville (3) shoots a 3-pointer against Clarion-Limestone in a girls basketball game Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy