Central Defense Limits P-O, Clearfield to 20 Points Each

The Central Lady Dragons participated in the Tyrone Holiday tournament Dec. 27-28 along with Bellwood, Penn Cambria and host Tyrone. After a near upset over two-time defending Class AA state champion Bellwood, the Lady Dragons fell to PC in the consolation game.

Central entered the game without a pair of key players (seniors Jenna Mock and Erin Brumbaugh) but showed right from the start that they were ready to compete. Bellwood took a slim 17-15 first-quarter lead but trailed 28-25 at halftime.

The Lady Blue Devils regrouped to lead by a point (39-38) entering the fourth quarter and won the final stanza 19-18 to secure the 58-56 victory.

The Lady Dragons were paced by senior Kylie Metzger’s 16 points while sophomore Leah Johnston added 15. Senior Madison Eicher also reached double digits with 13 points. Bellwood had a 6-2 advantage in 3-point baskets, which was the difference in the game.

In the consolation game, Penn Cambria took an 11-8 lead after one quarter and a 17-16 halftime edge. PC was able to stretch its advantage to 30-27 after three stops and finished with a 45-35 victory.

Again, Kylie Metzger paced the offense (19 points), but the Lady Dragons got just 16 points from the rest of the roster. A 7 of 17 showing at the foul line also prevented the Lady Dragons from making a sustained comeback.

It’s difficult to hold an opponent to 20 points in any contest, but the Central Lady Dragons pulled off the feat twice last week. The Dragons won Mountain League games on the road against both Philipsburg-Osceola and Clearfield to improve their record to 8-3 on the season.

On Jan. 8 at Philipsburg-Osceola, the Lady Dragons left no doubt who the better team was. Central led 17-4 after one quarter and 32-8 at halftime. P-O scored four points in each of the first three quarters and made just six baskets in the game. The final score was 51-20 Lady Dragons.

Kylie Metzger and Bailey Heuston each scored 15 points for Central, while Madison Eicher chipped in with 12.

On Jan. 10 at Clearfield, the game began in a similar way as the Lady Dragons jumped ahead 15-6 after one quarter. Clearfield played its best quarter of the night in the second frame and trailed just 22-14 at intermission.

The second half was all Central as they won the two frames by scores of 15-4 and 13-2 to give them a final 50-20 win.

Kylie Metzger hit double figures in both scoring (12) and rebounds (11). Madison Eicher also scored 12 points. while Erin Brumbaugh added nine.

“Obviously our defense was special both nights,” Central coach Rob Mock said. “We gave up just 13 baskets in the two games combined. We got some scoring from different girls each night. I’d like to see us more consistent at the line, but we have the potential to be an excellent foul shooting team.”