Published: November 13, 2009 11:18 pm      

Dominant Opener

Balanced Jeff attack leads to 85-36 victory

RAMSEY — RAMSEY — In its season opener, Jeffersonville’s girls’ basketball team looked in mid-season form.

A year after being upset at home by North Harrison in its season opener — one of just four losses in 2008-09 — Jeff dominated every statistical category en route to a 85-36 victory on Saturday.

The third-ranked Red Devils shot 55.6 percent from the field and had 34 more field-goal attempts than the Cats. Jeff outrebounded North Harrison 29-11 and had 15 offensive boards.

The Red Devils also forced 26 turnovers and had 21 steals while turning the ball over just eight times themselves. Four of those turnovers came in the first quarter and two of those came on offensive fouls.

“We executed and did a good job,” Jeff coach Chad Gilbert said.

The Red Devils also displayed balance and unselfishness.

Brooke Valentine led Jeff with 21 points and six rebounds, all of which were on the offensive end.

“She did a good job and played hard inside,” Gilbert said of his junior, who went 9-for-14 from the field.

Jalynn McClain added 17 points, eight boards, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Shanice Gholson came off of the Jeff bench and produced 16 points, four steals and three assists. Teammate Brooklyn Kinnaird scored 11 points while hitting four of her seven attempts.

Even the players who didn’t score much contributed. Sophomore Lakin Roland scored just four points, but she had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jamice Williams’ two points were backed up by five assists and five steals. Jasmine Witherspoon scored 10 points and had an assist — all in the fourth quarter.

“The team played really unselfish basketball,” Gilbert said. “They really like each other, they’re good passers and they work well together.”

After North Harrison (1-1) scored the game’s first bucket, Jeff responded with 12 consecutive points, including back-to-back buckets by McClain. Jeff led 18-6 at the end of the first period, then pushed it to 40-14 on a Kinnaird steal, drive and basket late in the second period.

The Red Devils turned a 44-18 halftime lead into a 56-23 advantage late in the third quarter on a Gholson steal and score. Jeff pulled its starters with over two minutes to play and a 73-31 lead.

“There were times when North Harrison packed (the defense) in and we had five kids turn down shots,” Gilbert said. “When kids are turning down shots to sacrifice for the team. That’s when you know you have a chance to do something special.”

Jeff has a week off before traveling to Silver Creek to face the Dragons next Friday. Silver Creek was victorious 58-32 over Borden in its season opener on Friday.



JEFFERSONVILLE 18 26 14 27—85

NORTH HARRISON  6 12  5 13—36

Jeffersonville (1-0) — Falkenstein 2, Wiliams 2, Witherspoon 10, Roland 4, Valentine 21, Gholson 16, McClain 17, Kinnaird 11, Tarver 2.

North Harrison (1-1) — Crawford 4, Longest 2, Brunner 10, Book 9, Janes 6, Summers 3, Renneker 2.

Three-point field goals — Jeffersonville 2 (Gholson, Kinnaird); North Harrison 3 (Brunner 2, Book).