The Chagrin Falls girls basketball team dominated the first half in taking down rival West Geauga, 63-40, Jan. 5 at West Geauga High School.
Game photos click here.
The Chagrin Falls girls basketball team dominated the first half in taking down rival West Geauga, 63-40, Jan. 5 at West Geauga High School.
The Tigers scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed as they swept the season series with the Wolverines. Chagrin Falls has won eight of its past nine games after an 0-3 start, improving to 8-4 overall and 4-0 in the Chagrin Valley Conference.
West G fell to 3-9, 2-3.
Chagrin Falls Head Coach Brittany Laseak said the Tigers focused on starting strong.
“This is a tough place to play,” Laseak said. “We had to match their energy and deliver the first blow of the game.”
West G Head Coach Brandon Stewart talked about the Tigers’ hot start.
“They scored the first seven points of the game; we made mistakes and they capitalized on them,” Stewart said. “They’re a good team. We have to match that.”
Lilly Stukus and Amelia Bencko led the Tigers, especially in the first half, when Stukus scored 16 of her game-high 21 points and Bencko popped in 12 of her 18 points.
Despite the loss, there were positives for the Wolverines, who play with a predominantly freshman and sophomore lineup. Faelynn Beckrest, a freshman, had a great game and a phenomenal third quarter as she scored 12 of her team-high 19 points in the third quarter. Beckrest also had 10 rebounds.
“When she’s aggressive and tries to get to the rim, that opens up a lot of things,” Stewart said. “That’s exactly what we need.”
Beckrest’s play, along with an aggressive Wolverine defense, caused 13 turnovers by the Tigers in the second half. Chagrin Falls had just three turnovers in the first half.
West G’s Maggie Furst had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers’ offensive game plan focused on getting Furst, a post player, away from the basket.
“They tried to take her away from the rim, but we need her to protect the paint,” Stewart said. “She’s one of the best rim protectors in the area. She has a knack for getting her hands on the ball.
“She gets hit a lot, a lot of contact, but she plays through it.”
Laseak saw the Tigers knock down nine 3-pointers, with Bencko hitting four by herself.
“The goal was to space the floor offensively,” Laseak said. “I think with that 2-3 zone, we tried to stretch it, get into the paint and then knock down some threes.
“We respect them and how they came in prepared. Furst is a phenomenal player. We had to be prepared for her. To come in here and beat a rival means a lot.”
