Defense -- as demonstrated in the picture by Lady ‘Lopes Lauren Mayernik, Mariah Eck and Erin Zakor -- played a big role in the girls’ big win over Freedom Monday night. Photo by Alex Domencic for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

For most people, their disappointment came last Sunday with a Steelers loss. But for the Avonworth girls’ basketball team, theirs came last Thursday when the 'Lopes were defeated at Sto-Rox 53-44.

After suffering their first section loss this season, the girls bounced back on senior night with a section win at home against Freedom this past Monday, 81-34, and clinched at least a tie for the section title.

The Lady ‘Lopes were scheduled to finish section play yesterday with a game at Northgate with the results not available at press time.

In their loss to Sto-Rox, Avonworth caught the Vikings on a night when their perimeter game was red hot, as they shot 12 of 21 from 3-point range.

"Sto-Rox played a great basketball game," said Avonworth coach Bob Schulz.

"Some nights you have to give your opponent all the credit in the world -- they were focused and they were ready to play," Schulz said.

Avonworth got back-to-back baskets by Macken-zie and Lauren Mayernik to lead early 4-1, but Sto-Rox connected on three consecutive 3-pointers to lead 10-4 with 2:37 left in the period.

L. Mayernik scored on a 12-foot jumper, but the Vikings responded with another basket from long range and led 13-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The 'Lopes started the second quarter with a 7-2 run, getting a 3-pointer by Laura Presutti, a short hook in the lane by L. Mayernik and another basket by Presutti on a give-and-go to trail 15-13.

The Vikings went back to what was working best, connecting on three 3-pointers in a 10-0 run to extend their lead.

Moriah Eck made one of two from the stripe before the teams went to the half with the Lady ‘Lopes trailing 25-14.

Sto-Rox used almost eight minutes of the third quarter to add to their lead, converting three more from long range in a 13-4 run to go ahead by 20 points, 38-18, with 3:06 remaining.

Avonworth got 4 points each by L. Mayernik and Natalie Zivic to produce an 8-0 run that ended the third quarter with Avonworth trailing 38-27.

The teams traded baskets throughout most of the fourth quarter, with Avonworth able to cut their deficit to 7 when Erin Zakor's 10-footer from the base line had the 'Lopes trailing 49-42 with 1:33 left to play.
The Vikings added four free throws down the stretch while Zivic converted a put-back for the Lady ‘Lopes to put the final score at 53-44.

L. Mayernik finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Zivic with 8 points, Presutti with 5 points and Catherine Costa and Eck with 3.

Against Freedom this past Monday, Costa led the Lady ‘Lopes to victory with a single game career-high 33 points.

"I liked what we did offensively tonight," Schulz said afterwards.

The 'Lopes fell behind early and had trailed 7-2 with 4:35 left in the first quarter. That's when they turned it up on defense by employing their full court pressure and forcing seven turnovers.

Costa scored 13 points, which, along with baskets by Zakor, L. Mayernik and Zivic, helped Avonworth outscore Freedom 17-4 through the remainder of the quarter and lead 19-11.

"We were able to open up the lead with our press," Schulz said.

The 'Lopes continued with their pressure on defense and took control of the game in the second quarter. Led by Costa's 8 points and 6 points by L. Mayernik, Avonworth outscored Freedom 24-9 on their way to a 43-20 halftime lead.

This game was all but officially over in the third period, where the 'Lopes gained a 22-9 advantage and led 65-29 going into the fourth quarter.

Avonworth outpointed Freedom 16-5 through the fourth quarter to finalize the 81-34 victory.

Along with Costa's 33 points were L. Mayernik with 22, Zivic and Zakor with 6 apiece, and Presutti with 5 points.