by The Shoregals needed something to find their stride and they got in the form of a returning Kiley Boutin. She brings instant chemistry and energy to the team, and it showed tonight as the Shoregals defeated the Comets 55-33 on the road. Boutin would finish with 8 points and countless big plays on defense.
Emily Yarham had a fantastic night, scoring 17 points with 5 from the line, and 12 from the field. Also finding her stroke again was Emma Knick with 12. Hailey Hodge chipped in with 4 points and multiple assists.
The Comets continue to start five freshman and play a rotation where six freshman see the floor. It’s early, but you can already tell they’re improving and learning. Once again tonight, all 6 of them scored. I cannot stress this enough, it’s a small detail but speaks volumes.
Natalie Pleban led them with 12 while Kristen Kelley had 7. It was Braden Silvasy with 4, Peyton Roberts with 3, Kayla Ferancy put up 5 and Ava Darmos had 2. All six-freshman accounted for the teams 33 total points tonight.
The first quarter was all Avon Lake as they built a 11-2 lead and then extended it from there. Amherst scored first in which they tend to do, but the instant energy of the returning Kiley Boutin combined with a hot shooting quarter from Emma Knick helped the Shoregals on their 11-0 run. Knick would finish the quarter with 7 as she drained a three from the corner.
Also notable was the Hailey Hodge runner at the buzzer that finished the quarter with Avon Lake up 18-6. As mentioned, the Shoregals sorely missed Boutin and it was clear in her return tonight early. Boutin put up 5 points in the first and had several jump ball wrap ups and also steals. Welcome back Kiley.
Amherst began to settle down and start doing a much better job at not turning the ball over in the second quarter. They won the quarter 13-10 and cut the Shoregal lead to 28-19 at halftime. Kelley and Pleban both buried three’s in the quarter. Kelley had 7 in the quarter along with a monster block down low.
Peyton Roberts is a good little player to watch out for in the coming years. She got hacked on a three pointer and then calmly sunk all three foul shots.
Hodge started the second quarter off with a bucket for the Shoregals, while Kiley Boutin chipped in 3 more. Leading the way for the Shoregals in the second quarter was Emily Yarham with 5 total, and 3 of 4 from the line.
The third quarter was all Avon Lake as they outscored the Comets 17-3. The Comets had a brief surge where their press caused consecutive Shoregals turnovers, but other than that, not many bright spots for them in the frame.
For Avon Lake, it was more of Emily Yarham scoring at will. She had 8 more in the quarter while Emma Knick brought in 3 more. When Maria Summerfield nailed a runner at the buzzer, it was 45-22 Shoregals headed into the fourth.
The Comets would bounce back to win the fourth quarter 11-8, but the final score went the way of the Shoregals 53-33.
Coming up big off the bench in the fourth quarter for the Shoregals was Kaylee Kuwalu. She is instant energy and plays fantastic defense. She reminds me of a young Arianna Negron with her stingy defense and fearless way of taking the lane when she has the ball. She can be a stopper late in games.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
