WLS girls keep pace in OHC

Kayla Peterson picks up for younger sister, leading Tigers past scrappy Northeastern.

West Liberty's Becka Peterson takes a shot to the face as she and teammate Kaycee Daniels try to steal the ball away from Northeastern's Hannah Gray during Monday's game.

Bill Lackey/Bill Lackey West Liberty's Becka Peterson takes a shot to the face as she and teammate Kaycee Daniels try to steal the ball away from Northeastern's Hannah Gray during Monday's game.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Northeastern vs. West Liberty-Salem

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 12:14 AM Tuesday, February 9, 2010

WEST LIBERTY — When her little sister left the game early in the third quarter with four fouls, Kayla Peterson was there to pick up the slack — and she more than rose to the occasion.

The West Liberty-Salem High School junior had all of her 18 points in the second half en route to a 52-42 Ohio Heritage Conference victory over Northeastern on Monday, Feb. 8.

“We really wanted to win,” Peterson said. “It was the OHC (title). We really wanted it.”

The victory keeps the Tigers, who improved to 13-6 and 11-2 in the OHC, in a first-place tie with Triad with one game remaining in conference play. They need a win at Catholic Central on Thursday, Feb. 11, to earn a share of their sixth straight OHC title.

“We’re just really excited,” said Tigers coach Dennis McIntosh. “Our composure on offense when Becka (Peterson) went down with four fouls, that was really big. We were able to get some big baskets.”

The Jets (15-4, 9-4 OHC) led 24-21 at the half and jumped out to a 29-23 lead early in the third quarter. But Kayla Peterson scored 10 of the Tigers’ next 12 points to give them a 35-34 lead.

“She probably played the game of her life on offense,” McIntosh said. “We’ve been telling her all year she’s capable of scoring. When Becka went down, she decided she wanted the ball tonight. It was a good thing.”

The Jets stormed back to tie the score at 40, but a bucket by Peterson and a big 3-pointer by freshman Melany Ward gave the Tigers a five-point lead they would never relinquish. Christine Park added 14 points in the victory.

“That 3-pointer was huge. It put us in a two-possession situation and that was big, and we were able to hit our free throws down the stretch,” McIntosh said.

The Jets held Becka Peterson, who entered the game averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds, to just six points. But it was Kayla who starred for the Tigers on this night. Kayla also had eight rebounds.

“It’s not been my role on the team,” Kayla said. “My role is more defense. But to step up like that, it felt kind of good.”

The Jets struggled down the stretch, especially on the glass where they were outrebounded 32-22. Jessica Rebert had 18 points and Jillian Adams added 14.

“Mental lapses on defense and a commitment to go box out somebody down the stretch cost us the basketball game,” said Jets coach Kari Kitchen. “Our defense has been a solid thing that keeps us in the game. I still think 42 points for us is enough to win if we commit to being solid on defense and box out.”

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