CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Audra Clark scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in lifting third-seeded St. Marys to a 52-24 victory over No. 6 Tygarts Valley in the Class A quarterfinals Wednesday.
The Lady Blue Devils (24-1), winners of 15 straight games, advanced to Friday’s semifinal against Wheeling Central, the only team to beat St. Marys this season.
“I’m playing every game like it’s my last — just like everybody on our team,” said Clark, who made 11-of-17 shots and 6-of-8 free throws.
Clark nearly had a double-double by halftime with 12 points and nine rebounds as the Lady Blue Devils led 19-8.
In the second half, St. Marys shot 64 percent and outscored the Bulldogs 33-16.
“People think St. Marys is all about offense, but I was proud of our defense today, ” said coach Howard Meeks II, whose team held Tygarts Valley to 20-percent shooting, forced 34 turnovers and blocked eight shots.
Kendra Walker added six points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for St. Marys, which finished as the state runner-up in 2010 and 2011.
“When they took Kendra away, Audra did what she did,” said Meeks.
Tygarts Valley (17-8) was led by Shanda Howell’s seven points, a season-low for the guard, who shot 3-of-13 from the floor.
“We obviously didn’t shoot the ball very well … but I thought they were holding and grabbing more than playing good, sound defense,” said Tygarts Valley coach Mike Dipasquale. “We weren’t allowed to run cuts.”
St. Mary’s won the rebounding battle 41-34 and enjoyed a 38-14 edge on points in the paint.
“Our tallest girl is 5-11 and they’ve got two 6-4 girls inside,” said Dipasquale.
Both teams started slowly, combining for only eight points in the first quarter. It took St. Mary’s nearly four minutes to score and Tygart’s Valley didn’t scratch until 1:30 remained in the period.