By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team is off to a terrific start, capturing three wins over the past week.

Last Friday the Lady 'Lopes defeated Belle Vernon in the first round of the Brentwood tournament 55-39. They followed that with a win in the championship game against Brentwood 59-38.

The 'Lopes also played a non-section game on Tuesday, Dec.15, at home against Knoch, and won handily 57-25.

In the first quarter against Belle Vernon, Tara Gallupe scored 12 points and Catherine Costa added 7 points to help put the 'Lopes in front 21-12. They led 29-22 at the half and 41-30 after three quarters before the Leopards cut Avonworth's lead to 6 in the fourth quarter.

The 'Lopes, who were 10-10 from the free throw line in the second half, hit six from the stripe down the stretch to help secure the win.

Gallupe finished that game with 30 points and 17 rebounds while Costa added 19 points.

Against Brentwood, the 'Lady 'Lopes started slow but led 10-4 at the end of the first quarter.

Avonworth surged ahead, outscoring the Spartans 24-5 in the second to lead 34-9 at the half.

The outcome was decided in the third, where the 'Lopes held a 15-7 advantage before sitting most of the regular players through the final period.

Gallupe, who was the MVP of the tourney, finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Costa, who made the all-tourney team, finished with 21 points. Lauren Mayernik added 8 rebounds.

In their game against Knoch, the Lady 'Lopes played well defensively while getting a good balance offensively, successful down low and on the perimeter shooting the ball.

"We played outstanding defense tonight,” said head coach Bob Schulz after the game. “We had a couple of lulls in this game, but overall we played good team basketball."

Avonworth came out smoking on offense in the first quarter with Mayernik's 3-point play and a 3-pointer by Molly Frew propelling Avonworth to a 9-0 lead near the midpoint of the period.

Costa got into the act from the perimeter, knocking down two threes that enabled the 'Lopes to outscore the Knights 8-4 and lead 17-4 at the end of the first quarter.

Laura Presutti's 3-pointer had the 'Lopes up 20-4 to start the second quarter before the action slowed down considerably through the rest of the period. The teams combined for 12 turnovers in the quarter, but Avonworth maintained their offensive edge to lead 25-9 at the half.

The 'Lopes came back to life in the third quarter, playing sound defense while regaining their touch on the offensive end.

A pair of 3-pointers by Frew, a 3-pointer by Costa and a put-back by Marissa Milbert sent the Lady 'Lopes on an 11-2 run to give Avonworth a 36-11 lead near the midpoint of the period. Gallupe took control of the offense through the remainder of the quarter, converting three baskets from inside that enabled the 'Lopes to lead comfortably, 44-17, going into the final period.

Knoch tried to apply full court pressure defensively in the fourth quarter, but to no avail.

Erin Zakor's two baskets helped the 'Lopes to outscore the Knights 13-8 to put the final score at 57-25.

Gallupe led Avonworth scorers with 16 points, followed by Costa with 15 and Frew with 11.

Costa had five steals and six assists, while Gallupe pulled down 11 rebounds followed by Mayernik's 8.