The Shadow
The Alleghany girls quickly distanced themselves from their Bedford County guests Friday evening.
The Mountaineers jumped to a 9-0 lead out of the gate and started the second half with another 9-0 spurt, as they completed a successful opening week with a 52-34 win over Staunton River.
Maggie Rooklin scored 15 points to pace the Mountaineers, now 2-0 on the season, while Bailee Leitch added 14 and Darcy Ross scored 10.
“We started fast in both halves,”?Alleghany coach Jeff Wolfe said. “I?thought we worked the ball well and played good team ball.”
The Mountaineers parlayed their quick early lead into a 17-4 advantage after one. By the half, that cushion had swollen to 30-10.
Wolfe said assistant coach Mark Pifer also stressed the importance of starting the third quarter quickly, and the Mountaineers responded.
“Usually we start slow, but we jumped out 9-0, and at halftime, Coach Pifer talked about coming out and finishing it off,”?Wolfe said, “and we came out with a 9-0 run in the third quarter as well.”
A?Ross bucket and seven straight Rooklin points gave the Mountaineers a 39-10 cushion early in the third quarter, their biggest lead of the night.
By the end of the third the Golden Eagles had cut their deficit to 43-25. They got as close as 14 late in the contest.
Kaitlyn Burns had 10 points to pace Staunton River.
Wolfe gave a big assist to his assistant coaches — Pifer, Nicole Fogus and Lee Phillips — following the game.
“Tonight I?think I?really reaped the benefits of having a solid coaching staff,”?he said. “All three had some valuable input into this win.”
The Mountaineers will enjoy their quick start to the season over the weekend before hosting Covington Monday.
“We are looking forward to it,”?Wolfe concluded. “It’s always a rivalry for us.”
The Mountaineers made it a sweep with a 41-22 win in Friday’s jayvee contest.
Kendell Keene had 16 points to pace Alleghany, while Zamera Hayslett added 11. Makayla Crowder and McKenzie Kimberlin had six apiece, while Averi Phillips with two rounded out the Mountaineer scoring.
Alleghany led at the half, 20-13.
