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Warriors embrace the target on their back

MINERVA– The West Branch girls basketball team is growing into its top state ranking in the second consecutive week in the Div. II state media poll.

The Warriors rolled to a 65-23 win over Minerva on Wednesday in Northeastern Buckeye Conference action.

West Branch remains perfect on the season at 12-0 and is 9-0 in the league.

“When you have a bullseye on your back these girls keep their composure and demeanor. They just we want to get better,” West Branch coach Walt DeShields said. “We know we have to continue to strive to work hard in games and practice so when a big league game or tournament game comes we are ready.”

Minerva falls to 3-11 (2-6 NBC).

“We had great energy tonight,” DeShields said. “Having two straight games (postponed) these girls were anxious to get out on the court and they have practiced really hard but you can only practice for so long. In January you start getting that repetition and you want to play.”

The Warriors had two of their last three games postponed.

The Warriors jumped on the Lions in the first quarter with a 22-3 lead at the end of the period and outscored the Lions 41-11 in the first half.

“First half we moved the basketball extremely well making the extra pass and running the floor,” DeShields said.

West Branch’s Kayla Hovorka led the charge in the first quarter with eight points including two big shots from beyond the arc.

“This was a good team win,” Hovorka said. “We all wanted this and had great hustle.”

“We were ready to get back on the court after all the cancellations.”

Hovorka finished the game with 20 points and nine rebounds for West Branch.

“Hovorka came out on fire and when Sarrah Tennefoss scores like that from the point guard position we are really hard to guard,” DeShields said.

Tennefoss scored 12 points for the Warriors.

In the second half the Warriors held the Lions to 12 in the third quarter and scoreless in the fourth frame.

“Second half we wanted to execute our offense better and we did that,” DeShields said. “The second group did well and held them to no points in the fourth quarter.”

“Our girls take it to heart that we can’t have offensive nights like this every night.”

The Warriors outrebounded the Lions 39-23.

Minerva was led by Nelle Yankovich with 10 points and five rebounds.

West Branch returns to action when they host rival Salem on Saturday in their second matchup of the season.

“We are all looking forward to it,” Hovorka said. “We need to get some hard practices in and hopefully that carries over to the game.”

Minerva will travel to Carrollton on Saturday.

GAME NOTES

¯West Branch is currently on a 30-game regular season winning streak with its last regular season loss coming to Louisville 49-48 on December 10, 2016.

¯The Warriors also hold a 16-game win streak over Salem with Salem’s last win (35-32) coming on February 13, 2010.

“Both teams are going to be ready to go,” DeShields said. “We played well at their place earlier in the season but you can forget about that. They have improved and it’s going to be a great game.”

¯The Warriors highest finishing ranking in the state poll is third in 1996 and 2004.

“They have handled the ranking really well,” DeShields said. “Last week they were playing tight early in our game against Canton South but the second week in a row these girls have the types of personalities on this team that they just love to play basketball. They don’t get to high or too low and they are just trying to compete.”

“It’s cool but you have to perform with it. We have to keep getting at it performing hard every day,” Hovorka said.

¯West Branch now holds a two game lead in the league as Carrollton lost to Marlington 48-42 on Wednesday. Salem is 6-2 and Carrollton is 5-2 in second place.

¯In a shortened two-quarter jayvee contest, West Branch won 29-11.

For West Branch, Morgan Hovorka and Maddie Showalter each had 12 points.

For Minerva, Maddie Foutz had five points.

¯ Advanced West Branch student tickets for Saturday’s home game against Salem are on sale in the middle school, Knox and Damascus front offices as well as the high school athletic office. Student advance tickets are $2. Gate price for students is $4.

The game will be broadcast live on MyYTV.

WEST BRANCH:22-19-13-11–65

MINERVA: 3-8-12-0–23

WEST BRANCH SCORING: Carli Scarpitti 2-0-4 , Grace Heath 2-2-6 , Sammie Tuel 2-0-4, Kristen Plocher 0-0-0, Hannah Ridgway 2-0-4, Elizabeth Ostadali 0-0-0, Kayla Hovorka 7-3-20, Sarah Tennefoss 4-2-12, Payton Alazaus 1-2-4, Shannon Wolfe 2-0-4, Jessica Bock 0-0-0, Natalie Zuchowski 3-0-6, Sam Tuel 2-0-4. TEAM TOTALS: 25, 10-13:65

MINERVA SCORING: Maddie Fouts 1-0-2, Nelle Yankovich 3-3-10, Kayla Kinsey 2-0-6, Ella Kendrick 0-1-1, Jenna Walton 0-0-0, Hannah Wayts 0-0-0, Lauren Frigyes 1-0-2, Gina Slentz 1-0-2 . TEAM TOTALS: 8, 4-6:23

Three-point goals: West Branch 5 (Hovorka 3, Tennefoss 2), Minerva 3 (Kinsey 2, Yankovich)

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