By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team headed into the holiday season undefeated and came out unscathed, picking up six wins to up their record to 9-0.

On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the 'Lopes hosted AAA Highlands and withstood a late charge by the Golden Rams to pull out a 46-38 win in what was probably their toughest match-up to this point in the season.

Led by Tara Gallupe's 28 points and 17 rebounds, Avonworth had to overcome 18 turnovers and missed shots from inside, but managed to lead until the fourth quarter.

"We did not shoot well from the perimeter tonight,” head coach Bob Schulz said. “Our shots weren't dropping." He added, "We missed eight lay-ups in the first quarter and that's what kind of killed us to start the game."

Avonworth's biggest lead in the first half came as a pair of three-pointers by Molly Frew and Laura Presutti put the Lady Lopes up 25-20.

A Rams’ basket cut Avonworth's lead to 25-22 at the half.

The 'Lopes' biggest lead was 11 points before ending up ahead 36-27 going into the final period.

That all changed when Highlands went on a 10-0 run through the first four-and-a-half minutes of the quarter to lead 37-36.

Lauren Mayernik's free throw pulled Avonworth even before Catherine Costa converted a basket in transition to put the 'Lopes back ahead 39-37 with 2:05 remaining.

Gallupe scored all of the points in a 7-1 run to give Avonworth the 46-38 victory.

On Dec. 23, the 'Lopes played a non-section game at Freeport and cruised past the Yellowjackets 67-24. Gallupe led the way with 27 points, followed by Costa's 17 and Mayernik's 10.

In the first round of the St. Joseph's holiday tournament on Dec. 28, the 'Lopes powered past Springdale 82-30. Gallupe had 28 points, followed by Costa with 22, Mayernik with 16 and Frew with 9.

The 'Lopes defeated St. Joe's in the championship game, 56-31, with Gallupe, who was the tourney MVP, going over the 1,000 point mark of her career in the fourth quarter.

Coincidentally, older sister Taylor Gallupe accomplished that feat at the same place, against St. Joseph's, three years ago.

Gallupe finished with 26 points, followed by Costa, who made the all-tourney team, collecting 14 points, and 5 points each added by Presutti and Mayernik.

On Thursday, Dec. 17, the Lady 'Lopes opened section play at home against South Side Beaver and completely dominated the Rams, 70-20.

They then traveled to Freedom for another section match on Monday, Dec. 21, and defeated the Bulldogs 63-30.

Costa scored 15 points, along with Gallupe's 10 points, to lead Avonworth to a 31-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The 'Lopes continued to take apart the Rams in the second quarter, where Natalie Zivic came in off the bench to score eight points and lead Avonworth to an insurmountable edge at the half, 52-8.

The Lady 'Lopes outscored the Rams 13-0 in the third quarter on their way to the 70-20 victory.

Costa led Avonworth with 24 points, followed by Gallupe with 18, Zivic with 12 and Mayernik and Frew with 6 points apiece.

In their game against Freedom, the 'Lopes started slow offensively, but again used their full court defensive pressure to pick up the pace.

The 'Lopes were leading 9-5 late in the opening period when a pair of three-pointers by Costa and two baskets by Gallupe sent Avonworth on a 10-2 run to end the first quarter leading 19-7.

Mayernik, who was relentless off the boards, particularly in the first half, scored 9 points in the second quarter. Nine more were added by Gallupe to help Avonworth to extend their lead at the half 45-19.

Gallupe finished with 25 points, Costa with 16, Mayernik with 14 points and 19 rebounds, and Erin Zakor with 9 points.