KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The Preston High girls’ basketball team played its last home game of the regular season Thursday, and with five road games in seven days remaining on the schedule, it was almost essential the Knights take care of business against Robert C. Byrd.
Although the Eagles gave Preston everything they could handle back in early January — before bowing 64-58 at home — RCB proved no match for the Knights on the road. Preston dominated early and ended up winning going away 57-28.
The Knights (12-5) began the game in sync offensively, as they shot well from beyond the arc and in the paint. That and some strong pressure defense produced an early 18-4 lead after one quarter.
A pair of consecutive conventional three-point plays from Carsynn Sines (who would lead Preston with 13 points) and Natalie Annon pumped the second quarter advantage up to 26-7 two minutes in, and balanced scoring from the Knights stretched the lead to 24 points at the half by a score of 39-15.
Some sloppy play and cold shooting slowed the Knights down coming out of the break, and some solid medium range jumpers and post moves allowed Robert C. Byrd forward Avery Childers — on her way to a game-high 16 points — to outscore Preston 9-8 in the third quarter.
The lower intensity play continued in the final quarter, as PHS coach Brian Miller took the opportunity as time wound down to pull his seniors (Kylie Felton, Sam Wiles, Tori Garlits and Chesney Manko) one at a time for one last time at The Castle.
“That first half was by far the best we’ve looked in at least three weeks,” Miller insisted. “Our ball movement was outstanding, and we ran the floor with conviction and control. We made quick decisions and just were very, very sharp offensively. While we aren’t a great shooting team, our execution running our half-court sets gave us wide open looks, and it’s a lot easier to hit your shots when you’re that open. It was really good to see us get back to what we can do.”
The first close game with the Eagles (4-14) wasn’t ignored by the Preston brain trust, either, especially defensively.
“We got overextended at times in our full-court press the first game and they killed us over the top,” Miller admitted. “So we adjusted some things, tightened up, and I thought we did a much better job tonight. This was such a big game for us mentally. We went out and kind of imposed our will early and didn’t let up until we had the game under control. And with five road games against five teams with double-digit wins in a span of seven days, we’re going to have to be extra tough mentally to fight through the lulls and the runs and the fatigue. If we keep the mindset we had tonight, I think we’ll have a good chance to beat some really good teams.”
The Knights travel to Class AA powerhouse North Marion for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff Wednesday.
