There weren’t a lot of points on the scoreboard Monday at Polk County Middle School, which was just fine with Wolverine girls basketball coach Michelle Fagan.
Polk Middle, after all, had more of what was there.
A defensive battle with Apple Valley tipped in the Wolverines’ direction, Polk County earning its first win of the season with a 23-20 victory in a Blue Ridge Middle School Conference matchup.
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A tight contest throughout, especially in the final quarter, Polk Middle (1-3) relied on its defense to generate key points down the stretch while denying Apple Valley good looks at the basket in the final minutes.
“I’m really proud of our our defense,” Fagan said. “We’ve been telling the girls that if we get things going defensively, it will lead to offensive opportunities. We’ve been working on that and it showed tonight.”
Polk Middle took an 18-13 lead into the fourth quarter, but Apple Valley scored a pair of baskets to cut the lead to one midway through the quarter. A Polk County defensive stop led to a fast break layup for Bre Kenan to make it 20-17 with 2:35 left, but the Knights answered seconds later to again cut the lead to one.
Polk Middle pushed the edge back to three on Ava Marino’s jumper from the wing with 1:40 remaining. A flurry of Apple Valley activity around the basket on the Knights’ next possession ended with Marino forcing a turnover and racing toward the other end before being fouled at the basket. She hit one of two free throws with 39 seconds left to give the Wolverines a 23-19 lead and seal the win.
Kenen led Polk County with nine points, followed by Julia Griffin with five, Sara Muse with four, Marino with three and Kaylin Jenkins with two. Shannon Lyda had a game-high 12 points for Apple Valley.
Polk Middle wraps up its pre-holiday schedule on Thursday, traveling to Hendersonville Middle School.
