— By Taylor Kennedy
NITRO, W.Va. — Defending Class AAA state champion Nitro continues to rely on its defense for early season success.
The latest example came Thursday, when the Wildcats held their third straight opponent under 35 points in a 47-33 victory over Sissonville.
“I thought we played a great game today,” said fifth-year Nitro head coach Pat Jones. “We have been struggling from the outside and it carried over today, but I thought team ball showed today. We have been talking more of we than me. I thought we ran the offense better.
“We want to show teams we were not a one-dimensional team.”
Both teams struggled to handle pressure and combined for 45 turnovers. Nitro committed 23 turnovers and Sissonville turned it over 22 times.
“That is one thing we have been harped on every game,” Jones noted. “We have got to cut back on them, especially as we move further into the season. If we want an opportunity to make it to the state tournament again, turnovers are going to be key. We have got to slow down and stay composed.
“I have a young group of girls who are learning to play without a Baylee Goins. It is going to take time.”
Nitro outscored Sissonville 24-17 in the second-half following a seven-point halftime lead.
The Wildcats held the Indians to five points in the third quarter, leaving Jones pleased with how his girls responded after the half.
“We started off slow,” Jones said. “Going into the second half, we had to pick up the pressure. Some of the girls do not have a strong left, so, we wanted to force them left and make them cross it over. At the same time, we started switching at the top, which helped.
“Our pressure the whole second half helped. Our girls have been running a lot outside of practice, which is what I love about them because they go on their own.”
Nitro was also aggressive on the offensive glass, something Jones sees as a strength.
“That is something we have been working on the most the last week and a half,” Jones stated. “We finished well around the basket in the first half, especially in the first quarter. The second quarter not so much because we settled. I have told them that if we want to win games then we have to finish around the rim.
“Getting the second and third chance opportunities shows me they are listening and improving.”
Floor general Ava Edwards, a freshman, dealt with the responsibility of bringing the ball up the court. Edwards finished the game with nine points.
“Every game is important for her,” Jones stated. “Today, I told her in the locker room that she grew some today. She still made a few careless passes, but for a freshman, you expect that. She is going to learn from it. I have told her day-in and day-out that there is a difference between middle school and high school basketball. She is starting to see it, and she is slowly coming out of her shell.”
Danielle Ward and Patricia Ward combined for 22 of the team’s 47 points. Patricia led all scorers with 12 points, while her sister Danielle tallied 10 points.
“The Ward twins are the glue that keeps this team together,” Jones said. “Danielle and Patricia do not stop. They are like the Energizer Bunny. They keep going and going. We have to have them continue to make a statement and make a run later this season.”
Sissonville was led by Madison McCutcheon’s 10 points.