MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — University’s Ashten Boggs had quite a mixed bag Friday night against Morgantown.
The senior picked up a foul in the first minute of the game and was held scoreless in the first quarter, and then played sparingly in the fourth quarter after she was forced to leave the game with a sprained ankle.
But sandwiched in between the first and final frame was about as dominant a performance as anyone can have. Boggs scored 24 of her 26 points in the second and third quarters, helping the Hawks beat the rival Mohigans, 59-48, at UHS.
“I was frustrated with myself (in the first quarter), so I went to my coaches and asked what I could do,” Boggs said. “They told me, ‘Get out of your head and play your game like you know how to.’ I played my game and blocked everything out, focused on me and did what I do best.”
It wasn’t only Boggs who had a rough first quarter for UHS (9-5). As a team, it only scored seven points as the Mohigans (5-9) ended the first eight minutes with an 11-7 lead. But after, Boggs took over as the Hawks played much faster and kept up the tempo. As the baskets started to fall for UHS, MHS started to rush and lost the momentum it had early.
The Mohigans were outscored 16-8 in the second quarter and 18-6 in the third.
“I thought we had the recipe there in the first quarter, but then as soon as University made a little run, we started to panic,” MHS coach Jason White said. “We tried to get it all back in a possession and for the majority of two quarters, we played at a pace that we just can’t play at. We’re trying to play too fast instead of settling down, making every pass and finding the open person. We’re playing right into the other team’s hands, out of control at times.”
The Mohigans’ eagerness on the offensive end led to turnovers and easy rebounds for the Hawks, who used that to push their own offense. Boggs was the main beneficiary, being way more aggressive and finding open looks on fast-break opportunities.
That style of play is exactly what coach David Price wants to see, especially from Boggs.
“Honestly, at the end of the day, we’re better that way,” he said. “This team in particular is better in the open court. I don’t know why and I can’t explain it, but it’s a fact. Ashten got a little more patient and a little more selective. I thought she made great decisions on getting up and down the court and deciding to shoot the short jumpers rather than going in (toward the rim), especially with her ankle.”
Abbie Coen scored 11 points for UHS, while Kassidy Wolfe contributed eight points off the bench. For the Mohigans, Kaitlyn Ammons finished with 16 points, while Berit Johnson (12) and Cat Wassick (10) also scored in double-figures.
The Hawks will host sectional foe Buckhannon-Upshur at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, while MHS will play in the Big Atlantic tournament next weekend in Beckley.
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) works the ball past University’s Lauren Dean (4) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) and University’s Lauren Dean (4) vie for the loose ball on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Kaitlyn Ammons (25) protects the ball from University’s Lauren Dean (4) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) protects the ball from University’s Kassidy Wolfe (12) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) protects the ball from University’s Kassidy Wolfe (12) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Lindsay Bechtel (12) is pressured by University’s Lauren Dean (4) on Friday. 
University’s head coach David Price talks with his team during a timeout on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Tori McDowell (45) works the ball past University’s Kassidy Wolfe (12) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White talks with his team during a timeout on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Kaitlyn Ammons (25) reaches out for the ball against University on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White talks with his team during a timeout on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Kaitlyn Ammons (25) drives to the net against University on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White talks with his team during a timeout on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Tori McDowell (45) works the ball down the court against University on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White talks with his team during a timeout on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Mia Henkins (10) works the ball down the court against University on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White reacts to a call during their game against University on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Mia Henkins (10) works the ball down the court against University on Friday. 
on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) works the ball past University’s Lauren Dean (4) on Friday. 
on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) works the ball past University’s Lauren Dean (4) on Friday. 
University’s Abbie Coen (32) and Morgantown’s Kerrington Peasak (14) vie for the rebound on Friday. 
on Friday. 
Morgantown’s head coach Jason White calls out to his players on Friday. 
University’s Ashten Boggs (11) drives to the basket against Morgantown on Friday. 
on Friday. 
University’s Ashten Boggs (11) works the ball past Morgantown’s Lindsay Bechtel (12) on Friday. 
University’s Isabella Bowers (13) and Morgantown’s Kaitlyn Ammons (25) vie for the rebound on Friday. 
University’s Abbie Coen (32) and Morgantown’s Catherine Wassick (13) vie for the loose ball on Friday. 
University’s Mallory Napolillo (35) shoots over Morgantown’s Kaitlyn Ammons (25) on Friday. 
University’s Eden Gibson (10) makes a pass against Morgantown on Friday. 
University’s Mallory Napolillo (35) shoots over Morgantown’s Kerrington Peasak (14) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Tori McDowell (45) protects the ball from University’s Kassidy Wolfe (12) on Friday. 
Morgantown’s Tori McDowell (45) shoots over University’s Abbie Coen (32) on Friday.
