Lady Chucks fall to Hollidaysburg, 67-33

January 15, 2011

Punxsy's Parris Kernich (22) takes the ball to the basket in this file photo. Kernich scored four points during her team's loss to Hollidaysburg Friday. (File photo by Dan Walk/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Numerous turnovers by the Punxsy girls' basketball team led to Hollidaysburg earning a 67-33 victory Friday night.

Punxsy (3-8) trailed 22-4 after the first quarter before the Lady Tigers extended their lead to 37-15 by halftime. During the second half, the Lady Chucks were outscored 30-18.

"We have to learn to handle the pressure," Punxsy head coach Randy Reitz said. "To start the game, we had too many turnovers. We got behind the eight-ball, and we're not a good enough team to overcome that."

Freshman Taylor Newcome scored a team-best 11 points. Jenna Reitz added nine points and three steals, Shawnna Crago had nine points and four rebounds, and Parris Kernich added four points and four rebounds.

"The kids played hard the entire game," coach Reitz said. "We just have to eliminate mistakes. Halfway through the second quarter and the third quarter, we played pretty well."

The Lady Chucks visit St. Marys Monday night in a rematch of last year's District IX Class AAA title game. The Lady Dutch expect to have Canisius College-bound Kayla Hoohuli back in the lineup tonight against Elk County after the senior missed last Tuesday's game due to a concussion that she suffered Jan. 7.

Without Hoohuli, sophomore Adair Gennocro scored 19 points last Tuesday.

"That's going to be a tough game up there," Reitz said. "We have to play very good defense on (Hoohuli and Gennocro). To beat St. Marys, you have to limit Hoohuli's scoring production and not turn the ball over."