The competitive runs are growing longer for Polk County’s young girls basketball team. Now, says head coach Brandy Alm, it’s just a matter of improving the fundamentals to continue that growth.
The Wolverines held their own against Western Highlands Conference co-leader Avery for much of the first period Friday, but the Vikings eventually pulled away for a 65-40 win at Polk County.
Avery (16-4, 8-1) used its full-court pressure defense and motion offense to create numerous layups. With the score close in the first quarter, Avery standout Heaven Nelson hit three straight layups to spark an 8-3 run that gave the Vikings a 20-12 lead at the end of the first period.
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Polk County (2-15, 0-9) then failed to score a field goal until the 1:37 mark of the second quarter and didn’t score at all until an Autumn Owen free throw at the 2:39 mark. That cold spell allowed Avery to build a 34-12 lead, and while Polk closed to 36-18 at the half, the quarter effectively sealed the Wolverines’ fate.
“We played hard and gave incredible effort,” Alm said. “Our transition defense and turnovers killed us.”
The Wolverines grabbed a quick 5-2 lead in the first period and led 7-6 before Avery scored six straight points. An Overholt basket made it 12-9 before Nelson hit her three layups, part of her team-high 15 points.
Owen scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead Polk County, with Mariah Overholt adding 10 points and four blocks. Taylor Newton had four points and five rebounds and Haley Fowler added four points. Karli Wood and Bella Marino each had two points and Ava Marino had one for the Wolverines.
Polk County continues its four-game homestand on Saturday, hosting Brevard in a non-conference game scheduled to tip off at 4:30 p.m.
