FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Although Nitro isn’t yet at full strength, depth is something Wildcats’ head coach Pat Jones believes can be an asset to his team.
It’s almost required in how the Wildcats aspire to play, with Nitro’s goal consistently to wear out the opposition by way of full court man-to-man defense.
On Friday afternoon, the Wildcats displayed both their depth and dominant defensive ways in a matchup with Linsly as part of the East Fairmont Classic at EFHS.
Five Nitro players accounted for multiple field goals, nine made at least one basket and the Wildcats forced 23 Cadet turnovers to help attempt 26 more shots in a commanding 64-32 victory.
“It was great to have driven 2 hours up here, rested for about 30 minutes and then played a game and won,” Jones said. “Our defense was great in spurts, but our legs got tired in spurts also. We have to have girls come in off the bench and keep that same momentum going.”
The Wildcats struggled to get going offensively for much of the opening quarter, but got consecutive three-pointers from Mika Adams and Brooklyn Cawley to increase a four-point lead to 10, before settling for a 13-5 advantage through 8 minutes.
The Wildcats went to post player Karson Jones early and often in the second period, and she made her presence felt and then some. Jones scored her team’s first eight points of the frame, including six straight at one point.
Not long after, Nitro’s Bayleigh Elkins and Brianna Gibson each made a three, the latter of which left Linsly (1-10) facing a 27-8 deficit.
After Jones made two free throws for a 21-point margin, the Cadets began to execute at a far higher level offensively, starting with consecutive layups from Laura Valderas.
Alejandra Ferandez made two of her three treys in the opening half over the final 2 minutes of the second quarter, and after Vega Calvo scored from close range, Linsly was to within 11.
Jones added two more free throws to cap the first-half scoring and send NHS to the locker room with a 35-22 lead.
Any thought of a Cadets’ rally was quickly erased in the second half, which Nitro began with a dozen unanswered points to gain a 25-point advantage.
“I think we got tired toward the end of the first half,” coach Jones said. “We started subbing more and giving other girls opportunities, freshening our legs.”
Bayleigh Elkins scored eight points in the third for Nitro, which held Linsly without a field goal while outscoring the Cadets 16-2 over that time.
The Wildcats cruised to a sixth straight win from there.
Jones led all players with 22 points and 10 rebounds. She made 10-of-10 free throws.
“Karson Jones played outstanding,” coach Jones said. “She missed a couple layups, but she was getting beat up inside. For her to finish with 22 and 10 rebounds, that’s a solid game and what we want out of her.”
Elkins followed with 11 points and Cawly scored 10.
Nitro forced 14 more turnovers and had nine more rebounds, helping the Wildcats attempt 70 field goals to 44 for Linsly.
“I feel like our depth is getting to where we need it to be,” coach Jones said. “When you play full court man almost the entire game, you’re going to get tired. To see our conditioning holding up well through at least three quarters, that’s about where you want to be at right now.“
Fernandez led the Cadets with nine points on three threes and Valderas scored eight in defeat.