Larkin sparks Lady Gators in win over Carmichaels
JEFFERSON 鈥� The Geibel Catholic girls, sparked by Emma Larkin, scored 27 points in the first quarter on their way to a 57-28 victory Saturday over Carmichaels on the second day of the Donna M. Furnier Tournament hosted by Jefferson-Morgan.
The Lady Gators (1-1) led 27-14 after the first quarter and 36-20 at halftime.
Emma Larkin outscored the Lady Mikes by herself with a game-high 34 points, including six 3-pointers.
Larkin had some help with Ava Henderson finishing with 18 points. Both players were named to the all-tournament team.
鈥淭hey had a great game (Friday against Waynesburg Central) and I could see the carryover,鈥� praised Geibel Catholic coach Sara Larkin. 鈥淲e worked the ball. I think we did a good job, but were a little slow to react defensively.鈥�
The Lady Gators picked up the defensive intensity in the third quarter with a three-quarter press. Geibel was able to disrupt Carmichaels with several turnovers leading to points.
Carmichaels (0-2) had opportunities to put up more points in the first half, but was unable to take advantage of the opportunities.
鈥淥ur problem in the scrimmages was we were able to penetrate and get the ball to the middle, but we were not as aggressive as we needed to be,鈥� explained Carmichaels coach Joe Sabolek.
Sabolek noted the pressure Emma Larkin put on the Lady Mikes defense.
鈥淲e needed to adjust our defense. (Larkin) is so shifty and she can shoot threes,鈥� said Sabolek.
Megan Voithofer led Carmichaels (0-2) with nine points. Voithofer and Duski Staggers were named to the all-tournament team.
Both Sabolek and Sara Larkin acknowledged their teams need to improve before section play begins.
鈥淲e have a lot of work to do,鈥� said Sabolek. 鈥淲e had a weekend full of both negatives and positives. I鈥檓 happy with the way our younger players played.
鈥淲e did run our zone sets effectively.鈥�
鈥淓mma is our point guard and needs to be the point guard, but get everyone else involved,鈥� said Sara Larkin.
Larkin outlined three points where she wants to see the Lady Gators improve.
鈥淥ur defensive intensity, we need to be more physical on defense,鈥� said Larkin. 鈥淲e need to move the ball more on offense. We were too stationary.
鈥淎nd, three, our rebounds, we need to box out better.鈥�