MORGANTOWN – University High School girls’ basketball head coach Nick Lusk knew his team would benefit from the crucial experience his returning players gained last season coming into the current campaign.
Not only has he seen the growth in his team carryover from last season, but the Hawks have already made strides in the seven games they’ve played in this one.
That growth was displayed on Thursday night on Baker’s Ridge as the Hawks (4-3) defeated Parkersburg South 73-51.
Senior Lexi Simpson finished with a double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds, with junior guard Brianna Fox adding 21 points and seven assists. Senior Hannah Stemple contributed 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds with a broken finger on her shooting hand.
“We’ve played a really tough schedule this year already, and I think that’s allowed us to get better quickly,” Lusk said. “We went down to Myrtle Beach, and Lexi matched up against some talented players down low and competed well against them. She wasn’t scoring like she did tonight, but she did everything else she needed to, and if she can keep putting the ball in the basket consistently, it’ll make a huge difference for us.”
UHS opened a 7-2 advantage midway through the first quarter against the Patriots. The Hawks began the contest by crashing the boards well and disrupting passing lanes on defense. However, Parkersburg South closed the quarter strong and cut the UHS lead to one possession, 19-17, to end the frame.
The hosts then used a 22-7 difference in the second quarter to open a double-figure lead at halftime, 41-24.
Fox ended the first half with 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds. She and Simpson continued to control the game in the third as UHS pulled ahead 51-31.
“We needed Bri to step up and be that player for us who can handle the ball and let the offense work,” Lusk said. “Last season, when Julia Maisel got hurt, Bri stepped up and played that role, and it is showing in every game this season. She has a high knowledge of the game and makes good decisions. Confidence is the most important thing for her going forward.”
Stemple’s third triple of the game gave the Hawks a 56-41 advantage with two minutes left to play in the third quarter. The two teams combined for 48 points in the third, with the Patriots holding a 25-23 advantage.
However, UHS only allowed its opponents to score two points in the fourth, closing the game out for a decisive victory on its home court.
The Hawks will host Wheeling Park on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
BOX SCORE
University 73, Parkersburg South 51
PSHS 17 7 25 2 – 51
UHS 19 22 23 10 – 73
Parkersburg South – Cline 10 1-2 25 Owens 3 1-2 8 Joyce 3 0-0 8 Shockey 2 0-0 4 Richards 2 0-0 4 Singer 0 2-6 2
University – Simpson 9 4-4 22 Fox 10 0-0 21 Stemple 6 0-0 15 Maisel 2 0-0 6 Cox 2 0-0 4 Bealko 1 1-2 3 Johnson 1 0-0 2
3pt goals made: University 6 (Stemple 3 Maisel 2 Fox 1); Parkersburg South 7 (Cline 4 Joyce 2 Owens 1)
