MORGANTOWN, W.Va — No. 1 Parkersburg South passed its first real test of the year on Tuesday night in girls’ high school basketball, as the Patriots knocked off No. 5 University on the road, 69-44. The Patriots used a 27-7 run in the second quarter to put away the Hawks by halftime.
“We don’t come up here and get to many wins, Kam (Meikle) does a great job coaching (University),” Parkersburg South head coach Scott Stephens said. “I feel very fortunate and I’m pleased with my team and the way we played tonight.”
Both teams came out of the gate sluggish with a series of turnovers and missed shots as they combined for just 18 points. Junior guard Keya Bartlett sparked South in the second quarter, breaking the game open with nine points (including two 3’s).
“When we can get Keya some open looks on the 3-point line she’s pretty deadly,” Stephens said. “She also got some key steals for us and pushed the ball in transition.”
South (3-0) controlled the glass as well as forwards Katelyn Byrd added 17 points and Carlie Wilson put in 16 points.
“I thought our rebounding was the key tonight,” Stephens said. “Katie is coming back from an ACL injury and is playing well, and we’re expecting big things from her.”
University (4-1) was led by seniors Mariah Callen who put in 13 points and Mckenley Meadows who added nine. The Hawks had trouble from the start as they only could muster 14 points in the first half.
“We came out completely flat, we weren’t enthusiastic or at all intense and we dug ourselves a big hole,” University head coach, Kamela Meikle said.
University came in averaging 73 points in its first four victories, but put up its second lowest output of the year (44) – much of those points came when the game was well out of reach.
“We were very impatient on the offensive end and it showed,” Meikle said. “We came down the floor and made one pass and took the shot, and we were running the other way before we knew and you just can’t do that.”
Parkersburg South will be back in action against Cambridge, OH on Wednesday night, while University looks to regroup against Wheeling Park on Thursday night.
Game Note: Parkersburg South played the entire second half without its starting point guard Tayrn McCutcheon who experienced head aches during halftime.