BIG WIN FOR TRI-VALLEY LADY BEARS

                                           

GRAHAMSVILLE--The use of an effective full-court press, a dominating defense, control of rebounds and a sharp offensive punch all contributed to a big win Tuesday night in Grahamsville as the Tri-Valley Lady Bears won a big OCIAA league win over Chester 70-48.
  The Hambletonians came into this game sporting a 10-5 record and a Division V OCIAA league leading record of 5-0, one win better then Tri-Valley who entered this contest 4-1 in league play.
  Tri-Valley's one league loss came against S.S. Seward who lost to Chester by four points several weeks ago.
  The Division V OCIAA race for the league championship also tightened up Tuesday night with Tuxedo's 46-31 win over S.S. Seward at the famous small band-box Tuxedo gym.
  This win for the Lady Bears could be from what they learned in their last game against powerhouse Division A Cornwall who defeated Tri-Valley 75-40 February 14 using what Tri-Valley demonstrated in Tuesday's victory.
  Chester came into this game sporting one of the best players in Sectio0n IX, Simone Ayers who even with this loss demonstrated her scoring ability posting 24 points.
  Chester took a quick 2-0 lead  in the opening minutes of the first quarter but Tri-Valley tied the score at 2-2 as  the Bears turned up the heat and raced out to a 12-4 lead at the 4:07 mark.
  Tri-Valley went on to outscore Chester 23-11 in the first quarter but Chester came back to outscore the Bears 13-12 in the second quarter with Tri-Valley leading at half time 35-24.
  Tri-Valley at the half-way mark of the  third quarter took a 14-point  43-29 lead as they coasted to a third quarter 16-point advantage of 56-40.
  The Bears outscored Chester 21-16 in the third quarter and 14-8 in the fourth quarter.
  The big offensive punch for Tri-Valley was provided by senior guard Caroline Martin who crashed the nets for three trays and nine two-pointers totaling 27 points. She had seven points in the first quarter, six points in the second, 11 in the third and three in the fourth.
  The senior point guard also displayed a tough defense  while staying out of foul trouble whick has plagued her in the past.
  Chester's Simone Ayers with 24 total points hit for nine points in the first quarter, six in the second and nine in the third.
  Tri-Valley's Sara Dertinger contributed 13 points and Ashley Johnson  11 points in this win.
  Chester committed 28 turnovers to Tri-Valley's 17.
  Even with this loss Chester coach Peter Rickard was upbeat in the post-game interview saying "I thought we played well, we broke their press, we missed up on a couple of rebounds which I didn't think was going to happen but they have to come to us now (Tri-Valley travels to Chester Monday February 23.)
  "We scored more then I thought we were going to and I give them credit and Martin played well," Rickard noted.
  Rickard acknowledged that Chester is now in a tie with Tri-Valley for the league lead and the rematch at Chester could decide the league championship but both teams have to play Tuxedo and anything could happen there.
  Tri-Valley coach Jason Closs noted, "we were able to bring pressure for 30 minutes tonight and at times we got beat deep but we got a lot of turnovers and deflections and a lot of offense out of that."
  Closs pointed out that he was "pleased the way the girls played and we rebounded well especially in the second half even when giving up five to six inches in height with Alissa Ramos and Simone Ayers  in there for Chester."
  "I was very pleased for the most part with our composure at the end and the way we played against their 1-3-1 zone," Closs added.
  Tri-Valley is now 10-6 overall and 5-1 in league play. Chester falls to 8-6 and 5-1.
  Tri-Valley plays Chapel Field at home tonight at 5:30, Tuxedo Saturday at home at 1:30  before traveling to Chester Monday night. 
 
 
  PHOTOS FROM TUESDAY'S GAME

 

                                                        

 

Tri-Valley senior point guard Caroline Martin (32) shoots over Chester's Hunter Seabrook (24) scoring two of her game high 27 points in the Lady Bears 70-48 win Tuesday night at Grahamsville.
                                   
                                                         

Tri-Valley's Sandra Alemany (25) drives to the basket in the Lady Bears 70-48 win Tuesday night at Grahamsville. 

 

 

OTHER PHOTOS