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Albany senior Lyndsay Hoesly poured in a game-high 18 points and teammate Melissa Shunk added 10 to help lead the Albany girls basketball team past Pecatonica 47-35 in a Tuesday night, Dec. 23 ballgame played on the Blanchardville hardwood.
Albany post player Marley Malkow poured in 8 late points for coach Adam Wamsley's team and she proved to be an additional thorn in the side of Pecatonica's effort after a third quarter surge that saw Pec play their way to a 26-25 lead late in the period.
Pecatonica's Emily Scoville scored 14 points in the second half, (of her team-high 17) and teammate Sami Miller added 8 but a slow start hampered the Vikings' effort and the remmainder of Pec's collective roster could only muster an additional 10 points.
The Vikings continue to struggle with their interior production and with a consistent desire to go to the rim to score or to be fouled. The Vikings shot only 8 free throws, making 5 while by contrast, Albany players went to the line 24 times, connecting on 17.
Pecatonica fell behind 12-0 to begin the game, before fighting their way back into contention, with a 14 point second quarter, followed by the third period in which they outscored the Comets 15-11.
In that productive flurry stretch of the third quarter, Scoville scored three straight hoops, Miller connected on a hoop and Sam Erickson scored on a put-back basket and just seconds later, Erickson scored again on a 13 foot jumper.
When Scoville nailed a trey with 9 seconds to go in the third period, Pec led briefly, at 29-27.
The Comets roared back, taking advantage of an ill-timed Pec foul committed with just 2 seconds left in the third, connected on 2 free throws and then proceeded to run off 14 straight points to take control before Pec finally scored again over 4.5 minutes later.
"Albany had some girls make the plays for them in the fourth quarter and that was big for them - when they put together a couple jump shot baskets and also scored on a couple pick and rolls," said Pec coach Aaron Lancaster, following the game.
"We didn't defend it very well. Early though, our girls got down, fell behind 12-0 and then did a heckuva job fighting back and getting back into the game. In those second and third quarters, though, we played very well and at those times, we were also more agressive offensively, instead of just settling for perimeter jumpshots."
"We must be more aggressive with the dribble drive and must make things happen offensively. We need to force situations - so that we also get to the free throw line. We're working and will continue to stress things to make us more successful."
Lancaster was also pleased with portions of the Vikings' defensive effort.
"We went to a man to man in the second quarter and for awhile it helped us get some steals. But then, in the fourth quarter, Albany had success with those pick and rolls. We'll work on that and next time out, hopefully, we'll defend that better."
Coach Lancaster's Vikings were slated to play at home versus the Wisconsin Heights Vanguards Tuesday night, Dec. 30 and are then idle until facing the host Barneveld Eagles Thursday, January 8 at Barneveld and the Vikings hit the road again Saturday, Jan 10 to play at (Orfordville) Parkview High School.
Albany 12 6 11 18-47
Pecatonica 0 14 15 6-35
Albany (fg-ft-tp) Hoesly 4-9-18, Blumer 1-2-4, Mortaloni 1-0-2, Woyak 2-0-5, Malkow 4-0-8, Shunk 2-6-10. Three-pointers: Hoesly, Woyak. Totals: 12 (2) 17-24 47.
Pecatonica (fg-ft-tp) Scoville 6-4-17, Miller 3-1-8. Erickson 2-0-4, Johnson 1-0-2, Hendrickson 2-0-4. . Three-pointers: Scoville, Miller. Totals: 12 (2) 5-8 35.
JV Score: Pec won 23-22.