Pattonville’s Pressure Bursts Parkway Central’s Bubble In Girls Hoops Battle

CHESTERFIELD – Coming off two sensational wins to start the season, the girls basketball team expected to face its first significant challenge of the season, Tuesday night, in a non-conference game against .

It was clear right from the tip though, that the Pirates were up to the task.

Pattonville held Parkway Central scoreless for the entire first quarter, and led 29-1 midway through the second quarter, before eventually cruising to a 61-21 win over the host Colts.

“We played pretty well as a team,” Pattonville head coach Craig Gregory said. “That was probably the closest we’ve played four (full) quarters all season.

“(Parkway Central) is a good team. I’ve seen them play several times, and the score tonight was no indication of what kind of team they are. They’re a lot better team than that showed.”

That’s certainly what most believed heading into Tuesday’s matchup between 2-0 Pattonville and 3-1 Central.

But the Pirates unleashed their frantic full-court defense on the Colts, and forced a number of early turnovers and bad shots, which led to a bunch of easy shots and layups for the visitors.

“We got a little lucky,” Gregory said. “We got some easy baskets. We had a couple shots go in, and we just built some momentum.”

Pattonville built a 19-0 lead after the first quarter, and a 29-1 edge with 3:34 left in the first half. The Colts were without a field goal until there were less than three minutes left in the half.

Central senior Alex Partee finally ended the drought for the Colts, when she hit a three-pointer at the 2:37 mark that made the score 29-4.

“It was our fifth game in a matter of seven days, and I think exhaustion just set in a little bit for our team,” Central coach Brian Guilfoyle said. “We had a hard time playing against their pressure.

“I don’t want to put down Pattonville though. They played a really good game. They hit their shots.”

Senior Kristen Hanna led the way for the Pirates with 21 points on the night, including 14 in the first half, while teammate Mikala McGhee added 11 of her 15 points in the second half to lead the Pattonville offense.

No Central player reached double-figures in scoring, but Partee, junior Samantha Lewis, sophomore Taylor Kennedy, and sophomore Tasha Frazier each had four points to pace the Colt attack.

Central, which is now 3-2 on the season, will be back in action Friday night, when the Colts will play a non-conference game against Westminster Christian Academy.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Pattonville is headed to Springfield (MO) this weekend, to play in the Kickapoo Tournament at Kickapoo High School.

The Pirates are slated to begin play at 5:30 p.m. Friday, against Logan-Rogersville High.