Faith Yancey helped Circleville out to a lead it would not relinquish on Wednesday in a 44-34 non-league win over host Chillicothe.
The Circleville junior guard connected on three field goals during the opening stanza, including a three-pointer. Maddie Blakeman added the other five points on a pair of baskets, as the Tigers ended the first quarter with a 12-6 lead.
“Faith came out and was knocking down a few threes, jumpers and then as the game went on, she was able to get some steals and score in transition,” Circleville coach Brian Bigam said. “Faith did a very nice job of finishing around the basket, in addition to being very active on defense like she always is and using her athleticism to do a lot of things for us.”
Yancey knocked down her second triple of the game in the second quarter on her way to five points in the period, and Isabelle Perini also connected on a three, that helped the Tigers to a 22-14 halftime lead.
Circleville stretched its advantage to 36-22 going into the final period of play. Yancey knocked down three traditional baskets and Morgan Blakeman chipped in a pair of field goals.
Yancey led all scorers with 23 points and Maddie Blakeman added 12 for the Tigers.
Avery Erslan had 14 points to pace the Cavaliers (13-7).
Circleville checked Chillicothe senior guard Jacey Harding to four points.
“We continued to play a lot of zone and our girls did a nice job of scrambling, communicating and putting together another very nice game,” Bigam said. “Morgan and Faith were very active up top and then Gabby McConnell did a nice job of blocking or changing shots behind them.
“We are also doing a nice job of tailoring our zone to the opponent we are playing, whether we pack it in a little more or get out and challenge around the perimeter a little more.”
The Tigers (16-4), now winners of 11 of their last 12 games, conclude league play for the season on Friday at Hamilton Township.
Circleville 44,
Chillicothe 34
CIRCLEVILLE — Morgan Blakeman 2-0-4, Faith Yancey 10-1-23, Maddie Blakeman 4-2-12, Isabelle Perini 1-0-3, Gabby McConnell 0-2-2. Three-point goals — Yancey (2) and Maddie Blakeman (2). Total — 16 3-7 44.
CHILLICOTHE — Jacey Harding 2-0-4, Nyanna Hatfield 2-3-9, Avery Cox 1-0-3, Miranda McCloy 0-1-1, Avery Erslan 4-5-14, Paige Huggins 0-1-1, Kiera Archer 1-0-2. Three-point goals — Hatfield (2), Erslan and Cox. Total — 10 10-17 34.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Circleville 12 10 14 8 44
Chillicothe 6 8 8 12 34
