Defense sparks Wolverines in WNC Holiday Classic opener

ASHEVILLE – Polk County took away Calvary Baptist Day’s top offensive threat Monday – and most of the Cougars’ offense in the process.

The Wolverines raced to a 21-2 lead, led by 29 late in the first half and cruised the remainder of the way in a 57-29 victory in the opening round of the Wells Fargo WNC Holiday Classic basketball tournament in UNC Asheville’s Justice Gym.

Competing in the tournament’s Blue Ridge division, Polk County (4-5) will face Southlake Christian on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Carolina Day School. Southlake, based in Huntersville, defeated Greenville Technical Charter 44-33 in its first-round game.

With a roster nearly as young as Polk County, Calvary Baptist Day (2-10) has been led by sophomore guard Delaney Stark thus far this season. The Wolverines focused on stopping Stark, holding her to just three free throws in the first half while building a 34-8 halftime lead, effectively settling the outcome by the break.

“We noticed they had one scorer (Stark), so we focused our defensive pressure on her,” said Polk County head coach Brandy Alm. “Our defensive pressure also allowed us to score. We created a lot of offensive opportunities from our defense.”

The Wolverines led 14-2 at the end of the first period, then fashioned a 20-3 run in the second, with Hayley Kropp and Autumn Owen scoring all 20 points, for a 34-5 lead with 1:03 left in the half. Kropp repeatedly penetrated the Calvary defense and found Owen for layups and short jumpers, and both players also had three-point plays in the quarter in which they grabbed a defensive rebound, dribbled the length of the court, scored on a layup, drew a foul and hit the ensuing free throw.

Kropp finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and six steals, with Owen scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds. Ansley Lynch had six points and caused defensive havoc early with her pressure on Calvary’s perimeter players.

Makalya Staley had four points and five rebounds and Kendall Hall and Bella Marino each scored two points. Marino shadowed Stark throughout the first half.

The tournament not only gives the Wolverines a non-conference break before the grind of Western Highlands Conference play in January, but gives the team valuable time together, Alm said.

“The tournament atmosphere is fun for the girls,” Alm said. “It’s great for team bonding. We shoot around, then we go out to eat and we ride here together. It’s a cool thing for us.”