Following a sputtering start, the Warrenton girls basketball team used a strong second half to pull away from Orchard Farm in a 39-24 victory on Friday. Coming off an intensely busy month that …
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Following a sputtering start, the Warrenton girls basketball team used a strong second half to pull away from Orchard Farm in a 39-24 victory on Friday.
Coming off an intensely busy month that included two tournaments, Head Coach Greg Williams says his team is in serious need of a break.
“We’ve got a lot of injuries and fatigue,” said Williams. “We need to rest and get well.”
Junior Allison Tonioli and sophomore Lexi Frederick were back on the court after missing games due to injury and illness. Even with their physical presence returned, Williams says several of his players are not at 100 percent right now.
The Warriors opened Friday’s matchup in struggling fashion, working unsuccessfully to hit inside shots or draw fouls early on. They knocked down just two field goals in the first quarter, trailing 7-5.
“If we’re doing our thing, getting the ball moving and clicking, then we’re fine, but we were just kind of stale,” said Williams.
Senior center Kayla Nelson began her steady contribution in the second period on her way to a game-high 17 points. Williams says his biggest physical threat has to be a factor, before Warrenton is a complete team. Last time Nelson netted 31 against the Eagles.
“They did a really good job of making adjustments since the last time we played,” said Williams. “They really tried to shut her down.”
Despite the Warriors leading 16-12 at halftime, it was not until Tonioli knocked down consecutive treys in the third quarter that Williams felt his team finally had command. At that point they were effectively executing their accordion-style offense.
“Tonioli broke it open with the two big threes, and that kind of loosened things up, and got Nelson going,” said Williams. “When everybody double teams and sags inside, you have to be able to hit some outside shots.”
Warrenton limited the Eagles to just four points in the fourth period, building a comfortable lead. Just four players reached the scoring column for the Warriors, including Tonioli with 10 points. Sophomore Brooke Smith had six and senior Ashtyn Dixon knocked down a pair of 3-pointers.
“They play a lot of minutes,” said Williams. “Brooke and Allison barely sub, and Lexi never subs. Unless Kayla gets in foul trouble, she doesn’t sub.”
The Warriors head to Holt Monday at 7 p.m.
.UP THE SIDELINE — Warrenton's Brooke Smith beats an Orchard Farm defender in the open court Friday night. Warrenton won, 39-24. Derrick Forysthe photo.
