By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
No. 3 ranked in Class 2A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, Valley Heights' girls basketball team continued its nine-game winning streak Thursday night by topping Rossville, 66-46, on the Bulldawgs' home floor.
After starting the season with a promising 4-1 record, Rossville has lost four straight games dropping its record to 4-5.
Undefeated Valley Heights came into Rossville outscoring non-district opponents, 431-231. The Lady Mustangs have yet to allow any opposing offense more than 43 points this season and the Lady Mustangs continued their impressive run Thursday night
“I thought in whole we played pretty well,” Rossville coach Michael Bell said.
Rossville sophomore Kinley Porter, shooting a free throw against Valley Heights, scored 13 points in Thursday's 66-46 loss. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
The Lady Dawgs brought the fire to a brutal Valley Heights team early.
Sophomore guard Kinsey Perine scored seven out of her team’s first 13 points in the first quarter.
Lady Mustangs senior guard Catherine Toerber and key bench contributor Brooke Porter helped put up 12 out of the first 18 in the opening quarter of play.
With the slim lead of five points to end the first quarter, the Lady Dawgs gained some momentum knowing that they were going to be competitive.
In the second quarter, both of the squads were able to spread the ball out to their teammates and score more effectively. Lady Dawg sophomore forward Kinley Porter was able to tally eight points in the quarter, keeping the Bulldawgs in range.
“I thought in the first half we came out and established our press. We were able to push the ball out and get some easy buckets. I just thought we were a bit fresher at that point in time,” said Bell.
At the half, Rossville would trail, 37-27.
To begin the third quarter, Valley Heights would take over. The Lady Mustangs jumped out to a 9-2 run before Rossville took a time out. Intimidating Heights 6-foot post presence, Emma Yungeberg, made Rossville’s drives to the paint difficult and the Lady Dawgs struggled shooting the ball in the third quarter, only mustering six points.
Ultimately, the Dawgs couldn’t catch up to Valley Heights, which went on to take the 20-point decision.
“That is a great team,'' Bell said of Valley Heights. "They press well, they shoot well, they do it all. That team is ranked in the top three in the state of Kansas for good reason.''
The Lady Dawgs will be right back in Rossville on Friday as they host district rival, St. Marys.
“I’d like to make sure our effort is the same. We played hard and I am proud of them for that. I’d like for us to repeat our efforts tonight heading into tomorrow. I also wish we could get some rest, this will be our third game this week,” said Bell.
VALLEY HEIGHTS GIRLS 66, ROSSVILLE 46
Valley Heights 18 19 16 13 – 66
Rossville 13 14 6 13 – 46
Valley Heights (9-0) – C. Toerber 6 2-2 21, Porter 5 3-5 13, Yungeberg 4 3-6 11, Vermetten 3 2-3 8, M. Toerber 3 1-2 7, Steinfort 2 0-0 4, Skalla 1 0-0 2.
Rossville (4-5) – Perine 5 2-7 14, Porter 5 3-6 13, Gillum 3 2-2 8, Mitchell 3 1-2 7, Douglas 1 0-1 3, Haehn 0 1-2 1.
3-point goals – Valley Heights 5, Rossville 3. Total fouls – Valley Heights 19, Rossville 19. Fouled out – Perine.
