Since this season began, Polk County Middle girls basketball coach Michelle Fagan has been preaching the importance of defense to her young Wolverines.
The message is taking hold.
Polk County Middle earned its fourth straight win Thursday, relying on its defensive pressure to hound Asheville Christian in a 30-24 win at Polk Middle.
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The Wolverines (4-3) never allowed ACA to score more than six points in any quarter and finally got enough offense to pull away late in the game.
“Staying after it with our pressure defense created offensive opportunities,” Fagan said. “They did a good job sticking to our defensive plan, and it paid off for us. I’m pleased with our progress.”
Polk County took the lead for good with 1:05 left in the third period at 19-18 on a pair of Ava Marino free throws. The Wolverines then added a key basket just before the buzzer, Sara Musa tipping away an ACA inbounds pass to Belen Akers, who hit a short jumper with four seconds left for a 21-18 lead.
Kristen Hall and Kaylin Jenkins sandwiched baskets around an ACA free throw to give the Wolverines a 25-19 lead with 3:42 remaining. Bre Kenan added a free throw at the 2:40 mark and Muse hit four straight free throws down the stretch to keep ACA at bay.
Kenan led Polk Middle with 12 points, with Muse adding seven, Marino scoring four, Akers, Jenkins and Hall each scoring two and Julia Griffing adding one.
Polk Middle returns to action on Monday, traveling to Brevard Middle for a 4:30 p.m. game.
