The Panther defense was able to pressure Quakertown into turnovers on Saturday.
Saturday afternoon brought an opportunity for the Saucon Valley High School girls’ basketball team to get a little pay-back with non-league foe Quakertown. Last year, in a Saturday thriller, visiting Quakertown stole the game in overtime. This time, in dominating fashion, it was Saucon Valley who celebrated in the end. Enjoying a cold bus ride home, the Panthers rolled back into town with a convincing victory.
Not surprising, with the outdoor weather conditions being in deep-freeze mode, it took a little while for any offense to heat up. Saucon Valley junior, Kat Naiburg, did finally break the ice almost two minutes into the game when she drove hard to the hoop and was fouled. Her bucket and free-throw were all good to give Saucon a 3-0 lead.
Defense was the story until Saucon Valley senior Helen Kreschollek made good on a layup at the 4:05 mark in the opening stanza. Kreshollek’s field goal kick-started a 10-0 burst for Saucon. Covering a little over a minute of game time, Saucon Valley capitalized on a bountiful full-court press and quick transition to take it to Quakertown. Katie Kramer and Kiele Riefenstahl chipped in with some points, along with Kreschollek, to help build a 13-0 Saucon Valley lead. It wasn’t until the 2:02 mark that Quakertown found the scoreboard with a single free-throw. Kramer and Quakertown’s Kimmy Best each added little jumpers to close out the first period scoring. The Saucon Valley Panthers pounced on the Quakertown Panthers and took a commanding 15-3 lead.
Saucon Valley’s Kiele Riefenstahl taking it hard to the hole in transition.
Saucon Valley’s pressing defense led to Quakertown turnovers. Their quick transition and smart passing characterized the majority of the 2nd Quarter. Katie Kramer and her five points led the way to a Saucon Valley 11-0 second quarter run. Juniors Olivia Williams, Kiele Riefenstahl and senior Shannon Williams each added a couple of points. Quakertown senior Samantha Howard hit a three-pointer with 2:36 remaining in the period to stop the bleeding, but Riefenstahl and sophomore Abby Solytsiak added points that trumped a couple of Quakertown free-throws and closed out the 1st Half. Saucon Valley took a 32-8 lead into the locker-room for the halftime break.
Saucon Valley proved to be the tougher Panthers this year at Quakertown.
For good measure, Saucon started the 2nd Half with their press, but it did not take long for Coach Calabrese to call off the dogs. Riefenstahl hit another layup in transition and Katie Kramer added a free-throw in the opening minutes of the 3rd Quarter. Quakertown’s Howard answered with a couple of quality 3’s, but Katie Kramer’s put-back and Kat Naiburg’s athletic runner helped build Saucon’s 39-14 lead.
Saucon senior Helen Kreschollek hitting a free-throw in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
Katie Kramer hit a couple of jump-shots and Helen Kreschollek converted a couple of free-throws, but the up-tempo Saucon Valley Panthers throttled back their attack in the closing period of play and cruised to victory. Saucon Valley defeated Quakertown 45-33.
It was a good win for the Saucon Valley Panthers.
Senior sharpshooter Sam Howard led Quakertown with 12 points. Junior, Kimmy Best, added 10 for Quakertown.
Juniors Katie Kramer and Kiele Riefenstahl led Saucon with 16 and 10 points respectively.
JV Score: Saucon Valley 31, Quakertown 23 (Grace Albano 10 pts., Isabella Medei 6 pts.)
Up Next: The Lady Panthers will travel Northwestern Lehigh (6-1 in the Colonial League) Tuesday for another Colonial League contest. JV tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity to follow at about 6:45 p.m.
Good luck Ladies, the Source is with you!
