The teaching of Panther coach, Jerry Calabrese, continues.
As much as the Saucon Valley girls’ basketball team wanted to come out early and be successful against the Palisades Pirates last night, they just could not get enough traction and execute to match their opponent’s pace. The sluggish start by the Lady Panthers was surely a significant reason for their third defeat. Saucon dropped a frustrating loss to Palisades 36-24.
Similar to their last game at Moravian, the young Panthers fell behind and dug themselves a 13-0 deficit during the opening minutes of the game. Defensive breakdowns and unforced turnovers seemed to plague the Panthers. You can chalk the miscues up to inexperience, but it wasn’t until 3:22 left in the 1st quarter that the Lady Panthers registered any points. Sophomore Katie Kramer was able to hit a jump shot in rhythm and finally get the Panthers on the scoreboard. Perhaps, Kramer’s score woke the Panther defense as they stiffened and earned some stops. Kramer was then able to hit again with 2:02 left. Kramer’s points cut a little further into the Pirate lead. The 1st quarter ended 13-4 in favor of Palisades.
Saucon’s Katie Kramer hitting a mid-range jumper.
Saucon came out of the break playing much better defense and Kramer again was able to connect on another shot while being fouled. She converted the free throw to make it 15-7. But, the Panther offense sputtered again due to unforced turnovers. Traveling calls and errant passes caused by Palisades pressure troubled the Panthers once again.
The Lady Pirates were able to capitalize on the Panther miscues and rebuild a 20-7 advantage. The defense of the Panthers again stiffened allowing sophomore Kiele Riefenstahl the opportunity to hit a pair of free throws and make it 20-9 in the last minute of the 2nd quarter. Then, with :06 seconds left in the first half, Katherine Naiburg grabbed a defensive rebound and raced coast to coast for a layup at the buzzer. The score was 20-11 at the half.
Saucon Valley trying to solve the Palisades defense.
At the start of the 3rd quarter, Panther junior Shannon Williams came out firing. With the Panther defense working hard and getting stops, Williams accounted for four consecutive points to pull Saucon within five points, 20-15.
The Panthers, however, would not get any closer. Palisades scored 4 of the next 5 points and led 24-16 at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter.
The Lady Panthers turning up the pressure on the Pirate offense.
Palisades came out in the 4th quarter and continued to ride their little momentum swing and reclaimed a 13 point margin at 29-16. Saucon Valley junior Helen Kreschollek cut the deficit to 32-21 with four consecutive points, but it was too little too late for the Lady Panthers. With time running low, Saucon took their chances fouling the Pirates to regain possession but it was ineffective on this night. The score ended Palisades 36, Saucon 24.
Junior Kaitlyn Cavallero led the Pirates with 15 points. Shannon Williams and Katie Kramer each had 7 for the Panthers.
The Lady Panthers packing in their zone defense.
Aside from the distressing start of the game, the Panthers played the Pirates evenly. There is no doubt that Coach Calabrese will address the issues that continue to plague his team. Changes and adjustments will be made allowing the team to continue their evolution. The next step of “the process” will come.
The Lady Panthers will try and fix what needs to be fixed and return home for a Friday night showdown with the Wilson Warriors. The JV tipoff at 5:30 with the Varsity following at 7 p.m.
Keep working hard Panthers, the Source is with you!
Panther sophomore Brooke Riefenstahl bringing the ball up against Palisades pressure.
Note: The Saucon Valley JV squad won 45-24 over Palisades. Isabella Medei had 15 points for the Panthers.
