Karns City girls basketball’s defense steals the show against rival Moniteau to sweep season series

February 02, 2026 Last Updated: February 02, 2026 10:32 PM Sports

Karns City senior Naomi Venesky (1) shoots a midrange jumper over Moniteau's Gracie Hartle (1) in a girls basketball game Monday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

KARNS CITY — Karns City girls basketball is known for its defense.

The Gremlins took that to the extreme Monday night.

Buoyed by 28 Moniteau turnovers, KC (17-2) rolled to its ninth consecutive win, posting a 50-24 District 9 home victory over the rival Warriors.

Moniteau (5-11) had 19 turnovers in the first half while getting off only nine field goal attempts.

“Our goal is always to force mistakes and limit shot attempts by the opposition, but it never works out quite like that,” KC coach Steve Andreassi said. “We count on our defense to do a lot of things, including setting up points for our offense.

“We scored a lot of buckets in transition tonight.”

The Gremlins have not allowed an opponent more than 35 points during their current win streak. Only twice this season have they allowed more than 40 points and no team has scored 50 on them.

“Heart,” is how senior Naomi Venesky described her team’s defensive effort. “We take defense very seriously.”

“Dedication and trusting each other,” fellow KC senior Hanna Dailey chimed in. “We spend the bulk of every practice working on our defense. It’s a lot of fun. The crowd is cheering, we’re out there talking to each other, just loving the atmosphere.”

Andreassi said the Gremlins’ student section contributes to his team’s defense, as well.

“The other team is passing the ball around for 25 seconds or so, can’t find an open shot and our student section gets louder and louder,” the coach said. “That fires these girls up that much more.

Karns City guard Hanna Dailey (13) looks to pass in a girls basketball game Monday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Karns City High School. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

“We spend 35 to 40 minutes of practice time each day on our defense. That’s what Karns City girls basketball has been about as long as I’ve been around. See that banner on the wall (2000 state championship). ... That team was all about defense, and this program has been all about it ever since.”

Karns City built a 28-7 lead by halftime, ending the second quarter on a 14-0 run. The Gremlins’ lead peaked at 40-11 when Dailey sank a free throw with 2:21 left in the third quarter.

Moniteau managed only five field goals in the first three quarters.

“When you have more turnovers than points, you’re probably not going to win,” Warriors coach Dee Arblaster said. “We’re experiencing some growing pains this year and we have to find a point guard, but Karns City’s defense is outstanding.

“They play together, they’re athletic and they just have a desire to stop you.”

Venesky led the Gremlins with 18 points, six rebounds and five steals. Freshman Taylor Ritzert contributed 12 points, seven steals, three rebounds and three assists. Dailey had 10 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Alyssa Thompson paced Moniteau with 10 points and three steals. Emily Matz had seven points and six rebounds. Moniteau attempted 27 shots while turning the ball over 28 times.

“We can coach defense all we want, work on it all we want, but the credit goes to the girls for doing it,” Andreassi said. “They’re not just buying into it. They’re performing it.”

MONITEAU 26

Gracie Hartle 1-2 0-0 2, Madalynn Eury 0-8 1-4 1, Annalyce Baptiste 0-0 0-0 0, Alyssa Thompson 4-10 1-3 10, Sayge Brunst 1-2 0-0 2, Emily Matz 3-4 1-1 7, Charlotte Thompson 1-1 2-4 4. Totals: 10-27 5-12 26.

KARNS CITY 50

Naomi Venesky 5-9 8-10 18, Hannah Sommerville 3-9 0-0 7, Alivia Farren 0-3 0-0 0, Hanna Dailey 3-5 3-4 10, Emily Heeter 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor Ritzert 5-11 2-3 12, Audrey Heginbotham 0-0 0-0 0, Chloe Larimore 1-1 0-0 2, Madison Mahood 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 17-39 14-19 50.

Moniteau 4 3 9 10 — 26

Karns City 12 16 16 6 — 50

3-point goals: Moniteau 1 (A.Thompson), Karns City 2 (Sommerville, Dailey)

Wednesday: Moniteau at North Clarion, Karns City at Union-A-C Valley