`KC girls roll in A state opener`

By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer

GROVE CITY _ On a day when an offense isn't performing the way it usually does, it's nice to have defense as a backup.

Despite shooting 33 percent from the field and committing 25 turnovers, Kennedy Christian's defense forced Shannock Valley into 28 percent shooting and 32 miscues, resulting in a 51-30 Lady Eagles' win in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs Saturday at Grove City College Arena.

Kennedy's Jamie Cicuto (51) moves in for a steal attempt as Shannock Valley's Devin Shoop (22) pulls in a rebound. (Gene Paulson/Herald)

``I thought we were so anxious,'' said Kennedy Christian coach Father Rick Tomasone, alluding to his squad's offensive effort. ``There was one pass and they wanted to shoot it. I don't think we played with any poise today. We played like we were anxious _ anxious to win, anxious to get on to the next game. We have to play a little better within ourselves.''

Kennedy Christian (23-5) earned the right to play Vincentian, 44-38 winners over Rockwood, Wednesday night. Shannock Valley (17-7) is eliminated.
game shot

With a timely screen from teammate Jamie Cicuto, Kennedy Chris tian's Mary Rachel Pearce (13) dribbles out of harm's way. (Gene Paulson/Herald)

``I was not too happy with (the turnovers), but you know what, we live to play on Wednesday, and that's what is really important,'' Father Tomasone said. ``No matter how ugly it was we know we can play better. If anybody was here scouting us and they think that's as well as we can play, they'll be in for a big surprise.''

With neither team faring well from the floor, controlling the caroms became the key factor of the game.

Led by 5-11 sophomore Jamie Cicuto, who had 16 points and 17 rebounds, the Lady Eagles dominated the inside, outrebounded the Lady Spartans, 58-34.

``I thought Jamie and Tara (Stevens, who had nine rebounds) did an outstanding job on the boards for us,'' Father Tomasone said. ``I was very pleased with everybody contributing.''

``Rebounds killed us and turnovers killed us,'' said Shannock Valley coach Bob Alexander.

Every Lady Eagle who played had at least one rebound, with Sara Laslow grabbing six rebounds and nine points, and Julie Fill had five boards.

On the other hand, Valley struggled against Kennedy's man-to-man pressure defense the entire game and suffered through long periods without scoring.

The last one proved the most costly, lasting more than seven minutes.

Midway through the third quarter, Valley's Lindsay Brown scored inside to shrink the Lady Eagles' lead into single digits, 31-22. However, the Lady Spartans didn't score again until an Amy Walker foul shot at the 4:44 mark of the fourth.

To that point, Kennedy built a 43-22 lead and put the game out of reach.

``We've handled man to man defenses all year, but we didn't handle this one tonight,'' Alexander said.

Laura Hall led Valley with 10 points and Brown chipped in eight points and six rebounds, but it was Kennedy's defense that took control of the game from the beginning.

Cicuto helped the Lady Eagles to a quick start by scoring six points in an 11-0 run. Her hoop at the 4:47 mark of the first made it 11-2 in Kennedy's favor.

Five Valley turnovers aided in the spurt and so did a scoreless drought that spanned nearly four minutes.

Kennedy Christian forced 11 first-quarter turnovers and held the Lady Spartans to six attempts from the field en route to a 17-9 lead after one.

``We didn't start as fast as we should have,'' Alexander said. ``They started much quicker than we did. Give them credit, they played better defense and were quicker on the court.''

The second quarter proved to be much of the same for Valley, which committed nine turnovers and suffered through another dose of fultility from the field.

A Colleen Hough 3-pointer with three minutes gone in the frame gave Kennedy a 24-11 lead.

Brown countered with putback for the Lady Spartans, but they wouldn't hit again from the field until 35 seconds remained, when Cameran Drake cut a 17-point Lady Eagles' advantage to 30-15 going into the half.

Kennedy shot the ball 72 times from the field, making 24. And not included in that was a 2-for-13 performance from the foul line.

``I think we were in such a hurry to do things,'' Father Tomasone said. ``They just were so anxious today. I think that's really characteristic of a young team.''

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Updated March 9, 1997
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Kennedy 51 Shannock Valley 30

KC girls roll in A state opener

Kennedy 51
Shannock Valley 30

`KC girls roll in A state opener`