By JIM RUMBLE

Monday's rivalry game between the Avonworth and Northgate girls basketball teams was cause enough for some excitement when the two local teams got together for their first section meeting on the Flames’ home court. Any thoughts of an upset though by the Flames over the Lady ‘Lopes, however, vanished early on as Avonworth rolled past Northgate 62-13.

Avonworth coach Bob Schulz praised his team for their play, especially on the defensive end where they forced bad shots and created an abundance of turnovers.
The 'Lopes mixed it up on offense in the first quarter, scoring inside and on the perimeter to take the lead early. Lauren Mayernik scored on a spin move in the lane and added a 5-foot jumper, while Erika Thomas and Moriah Eck each knocked down three-pointers as the Lady ‘Lopes led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Avonworth shot 4-12 from the field and forced seven turnovers, while Northgate seemed to be more deliberate on offense and went 0-5 from the field in the opening quarter.

Avonworth's Montee'a Hunter scored all of her seven points in the second quarter, where the Lady ‘Lopes forced more turnovers and scored in transition to pull away.

The 'Lopes began the quarter with a 10-0 run before Savannah Paladin scored in the lane to put the Flames on the scoreboard. Avonworth followed with an 8-0 run where Mackenzie Mayernik scored six points, putting Avonworth ahead 28-2. Paladin stopped the run with a three-point bank shot, and Avonworth's Thomas answered with a basket on a putback that sent the Lady Lopes to the half leading 30-5.

It was more of the same action in the second half, where Avonworth went to their bench with frequent substitutions. The Lady ‘Lopes held a 32-8 advantage in the second half to claim their 62-13 victory.

"We had a hard time scoring," said Northgate coach Neal Martin after the game. "We got ourselves into a hole early - possessions became a factor - and we had a tough time stopping the Mayernik sisters," he said.

L. Mayernik finished with 28 points followed by M. Mayernik and Thomas, each with 10 points.

Paladin led Northgate scorers with seven points followed by Shatasha Reeves, Taylor Cousins and Tiarra Scott, each with two points.