Northern Tier Sports ReportCANTON — Towanda used a tough defense to down Canton, 51-24, during NTL girls’ hoops action Thursday.
“Tonight was another incredible team defensive effort by our kids, in particular, Kennedy Heyer, Karis Flynn, Reese Sullivan, and Mary Kate Eberlin,” said Towanda coach Rob Gentile. “The four of them were asked to hound what I would consider one of the best two guard combos in our league in Kendall Kitchen and Caitlyn Vannoy, and they did it all night, holding both to a combined 12 points (six apiece).”
The Knights jumped out to an 18-2 first quarter lead. They would hold Kitchen scoreless in the first half as they extended that advantage to 31-10 at the break.
A 14-7 run in the third secured the win for the Knights.
“We had a very specific game plan, and the entire team stuck to it, which is just another sign of the growth this team has made throughout the season,” Gentile said. “It's another step forward, but we also know the challenge ahead, and that starts next Monday with a huge game at home against Wyalusing. The first of three very difficult games next week that are really going to test the character of our team.”
Mya Maynard had a double-double of 16 points, and 14 boards to lead the Knights, along with two steals, as Payton Perry had 15 points, six boards, four assists, and two steals.
Brynn Woodruff had a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds, with Karis Flynn getting seven points, and two steals.
Kennedy Heyer chipped in with two points, as Reese Sullivan added two steals.
Alexis McRoberts had eight points, five boards, two steals, and two blocks to lead Canton, with VanNoy scoring six points to go with five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
Kitchen notched six points, and three steals, as Cheyenne Fitch, and Lydia Roupp had two points each.
Maynard had eight to lead Towanda’s opening quarter effort, with Woodruff scoring seven as Canton was held to without a field goal, their only points coming on a pair of McRoberts free throws.
VanNoy would lead the Warriors’ second quarter with five points, but Flynn and Perry had four points apiece as Towanda continued to pull away.
Perry netted six more in the third as the Knights out scored Canton 14-7. McRoberts had four to lead Canton.
Canton (9-7) travels to Wellsboro on Tuesday, while Towanda (9-7) will put their 6-game win streak on the line as they host Wyalusing on Monday.
