By Jacob Merideth
Contributor
ASHVILLE — Defense was the name of the game for the final night of the Jeff Sheets Holiday Classic.
The host Teays Valley Vikings checked Worthington Kilbourne to just seven field goals on Thursday and held the Wolves scoreless in the third period on their way to a 60-21 non-league rout.
“It’s always a big positive for us when we play solid defense,” Teays Valley coach Trevor Younkin said. “I was pleased with our defensive intensity and the way the girls executed the game plan.”
The Vikings held a young Kilbourne roster to just four field goals in the first half on their way to a commanding 30-15 halftime advantage.
Abby Tier knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter on her way to eight points in the period, while Kennedy Younkin and Alyssa Horsley followed with seven apiece that helped stake the Vikings to an early 22-9 lead.
“Abby has bought into our program and has done everything I have asked of her as a point guard,” Younkin said. “I couldn’t ask for her to do more than what she did tonight.”
Teays Valley opened the second half on a 20-0 run and outscored Kilbourne 30-10 over the closing 16 minutes of play.
Tier led the Vikings with seven points during a 20-point third quarter, Horsley chipped in five points and Younkin scored on a pair of traditional field goals to stake TV to a 50-15 advantage.
Tier, who was named the Player of the Holiday Classic, led all scorers with 20 points for the Vikings. Horsley followed with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Younkin turned in a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds.
“We play through Kennedy, but teams have to respect Alyssa, because she gives us a consistent outside threat,” Younkin said. “When teams try to pack the paint and take away Kennedy, Alyssa has stepped up and hurt teams with her shooting.”
The Vikings finished the game 22 of 39 (56.4 percent) from the field compared to the Wolfe hitting only 7 of 36 (19.4 percent) attempts.
Reagan Wilkerson had 10 points to pace the Wolves (1-7).
The Vikings (9-2) return to the hardwood in 2023 when they host Logan Elm (3-7) on Jan. 6 for a Mid-State League Buckeye Division tilt.
Teays Valley 60,
Worthington Kilbourne 21
WORTHINGTON KILBOURNE — Mara McGlone 2-2-6, Bella White 1-0-3, Lilly Shuttheis 1-0-2, Reagan Wilkerson 3-4-10. Three-point goals — White. Total — 7-36 6-10 21.
TEAYS VALLEY — Addi Helwagen 1-0-2, Abby Tier 6-5-20, Kayla Cline 1-0-2, Kennedy Younkin 7-1-15, Alyssa Horsley 6-4-19, Gabrielle Watkins 1-0-2. Three-point goals — Tier (3) and Horsley (3). Total — 22-39 10-18 60.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Kilbourne 9 6 0 6 21
Teays Valley 22 8 20 10 60
