Catholic starts fast: Brunny, Huffmans lead PCHS past Ritchie
PARKERSBURG -- Head coach Marty Vierheller had very few complaints after his Parkersburg Catholic girls' basketball team opened the year with a 76-35 rout of Ritchie County Thursday night at home.
The Crusaderettes' pressure created 36 turnovers, his big three of Madeline and Leslie Huffman alongside Aaliyah Brunny combined for 62 points, and the defense held the Rebels to single-digit scoring in all but the final quarter.
"At times I think we were a little bit too anxious to make plays on the defensive end," said Vierheller after the game. "Offensively I thought we executed relatively well. I thought we got the shots we wanted in the limited number of things we wanted to do."
Catholic connected on 31 of 65 shots for a 48-percent shooting night.
Ritchie County's young group was led in scoring by freshman Rebekah Ruppert's 13 points. Ashley Davis finished with 9 points. Ruppert added seven rebounds and Davis recorded the Rebels' only assists of the evening.
"We are learning each other right now. We come off the bench with a sophomore and freshman that has never played any varsity ball. Starting a freshman that has never played varsity ball," said Ritchie County Dave McCullough. "Even a few of our starters are still young.
"Catholic is a great team and they have girls who could come off the bench and start for most teams in the area. You come in here and know you just have to learn from mistakes and get better."
The Rebels only trailed by 10 points after the first period of play. Two of Aaliyah Brunny's game-high 25 points off an early lay-up kicked off a 25-9 run in the second quarter. Ritchie County's only points early came on a pair of free throws from Rupert and a 3-point basket from Davis. Madeline (22 points) and Leslie (15 points) added five of each of their points with a bucket and triple apiece.
By the time the onslaught was over, the Crusaderettes went into the locker room at halftime with a 43-17 lead. The Rebels only positive was they outrebounded their hosts 15-8.
Back-to-back triples by Brunny and another off a steal by Leslie kicked the lead up to 39 right out of halftime. Ritchie didn't find the bottom of the basket until 3:16 had bled away from the quarter clock. Davis' deuce ended the drought. One free throw make each from Soffi Bee and Olivia Cress pulled the visitors to the closest they would come to the lead the remainder of the contest at 31 points.
Catholic called off the defensive pressure in the final period.
Vierheller commended his team for a great effort, but won't rest on this outcome.
"It is so early in the process and every day is an opportunity for growth," said Vierheller.
McCullough complimented the Crusaderettes' head man on his success and outlook with PC.
"Marty has done a great job for many years as not only a head coach but even as an assistant. Catholic is lucky to have a guy so dedicated to their program," said the Rebel man whose team (0-1) now prepares for a visit from regional foe Tyler Consolidated at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Catholic (1-0), meanwhile, travels across town to Class AAA Parkersburg South for a 7 p.m. Thursday matchup inside the Rod Oldham Athletic Center.