Font ResizeIt had been a tough five days for the Dallastown girls' basketball team, losing on the road to an undefeated, YAIAA Division II-leading Dover team last Wednesday and to a Division IV-leading, one-loss York Catholic team Saturday.
Monday looked no easier as the YAIAA Division I-leading Wildcats squared off against Susquehannock, second to Dover in Division II and ranked No. 4 in the latest District 3 Class AAA power ratings.
Dallastown, however, was able to take advantage of two poor quarters by the Warriors and come away with a 44-28 win at home.
"I think we really came focused to scrap," Dallastown coach Mary Manlove said. "We played the kind of defense we are capable of and we rebounded. When we rebound, we do very, very well. I am pleased.
"They understand we are in the homestretch coming up to counties. They took their licks last week from two very talented teams. I am just trying to keep them focused on one game at a time and one quarter at a time."
Dallastown (13-4, 8-1 YAIAA Division I) trailed 14-9 after the first quarter thanks in part to 6-of-9 shooting from the field by Susquehannock. Shannon Druck sank two 3-pointers and Katie Wagner added two baskets to stake the Warriors to the hot start.
Then the offense disappeared for Susquehannock. A nightmarish second quarter saw the Warriors go 0-for-8 from the field and 0-for-2 from the foul line.
At the same time, Dallastown rallied back to take a 22-14 halftime lead behind five points from Shae Grim and four points from Katie McGowan off the bench. McGowan teamed with Amari Johnson to help Dallastown to a 26-21 advantage on the boards.
"McGowan is a great rebounder for us," Manlove said. "I think they had to adjust to her being in there, too. I am petrified of their guards, they are a talented group. We were hitting the boards well enough that they had to sub a guard out and bring a big kid in. I think that helped
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Susquehannock (11-5, 6-3) then found some offense again in the third quarter as Wagner chipped in two of the Warriors' five buckets to close the gap to 28-24 entering the final eight minutes.
Dallastown struggled with 3-for-12 shooting from the field in the third quarter but Susquehannock ended the quarter on an 0-for-5 skid.
"At the end of the third quarter, we missed a layup," Susquehannock coach Dave Schreiner said. "That was an opportunity to cut it to two. It's all about momentum."
The Warriors' shooting woes extended into the final quarter as they missed their first six field goal attempts before a layup by Druck with 2:57 remaining ended the drought. Druck's basket was the only one of the final quarter for Susquehannock, which went 1-for-14 from the field.
"The second and fourth quarters were just unbelievable," Schreiner said. "We have struggled to put four good quarters together. I think we need to find five kids we can put out on the floor who can score consistently. Our shot chart showed we were getting plenty of open shots, we just weren't making any.
"I told the kids that you can only play defense so well. At some point, you have to score points."
SUSQUEHANNOCK (28)
Jeannette Wilson 2 0-0 4, Leah Deter 1 0-0 2, Makenzie Fancher 1 1-2 3, Shannon Druck 3 0-0 8, Katie Wagner 4 1-4 9, Olivia Boyer 0 0-0 0, Mallory Lebo 0 0-0 0, Alexis Murphy 0 0-0 0, Ashley Stone 1 0-0 2, Jess Voltaggio 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 2-6 28.
DALLASTOWN (44)
Jenna Jackson 1 4-4 6, Alex Lehman 2 0-0 4, Shannon Thomas 2 2-2 6, Shae Grim 4 6-8 14, Amari Johnson 2 0-0 4, Brooke Crumbling 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Small 0 2-2 2, Rachael Anstine 0 0-0 0, Katie McGowan 4 0-0 8, Kellie Butler 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 14-16 44.
Susquehannock 14 0 10 4 -- 28
Dallastown9 13 6 16 -- 44
3-point goals -- Susquehannock 2 (Druck 2 ); Dallastown 0.
JV score -- Dallastown, 28-26.
