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Porter scores 28 in Clearfield's win over Coudersport
Saturday, December 12, 2009
By Rich Murawski Assistant Sports Editor
HYDE - Gwenn Porter exploded for a career-high 28 points and nearly had a double-double by adding nine steals to lead Clearfield to a 77-52 win over Coudersport Friday night at Arthur J. Weiss Gymnasium in both team's season openers.
The 77 points is the most scored by a Lady Bison team since the 2006-07 season, when Clearfield topped P-O 79-69. It also represents the third-highest, single-game output in the last nine seasons.
The offensive outburst is the result of a brand new offense implemented by head coach Joey Castagnolo this season. It's still a fast-tempo style, but now Clearfield uses more dribble-and-drive plays and looks to kick the ball down low versus the historical long-range offense.
"I've got the talent to do it," Castagnolo said. "We ran the new offense, and the kids executed it very well. I'm real happy. The kids played hard from start to finish."
Porter, in particular, seems to thrive on the new style. She came out with a hot hand in the first quarter, hitting on five of her six shots. Her 10 points led the Lady Bisons to a 24-16 lead after one - and the game never got any closer.
"Gwenn is our leader out there," Castagnolo said. "She understands the game so much more this season. She drove to the hoop, she took jump shots, and she hit a big three in the second quarter when we were struggling a little. Gwenn controlled the tempo of the game."
Porter's 3-pointer late in the second quarter stopped a small Lady Falcon run, and Clearfield went into the half with a 12-point cushion, 43-31.
Clearfield came out of the halftime break on a mission.
The Lady Bisons went on an 11-2 run to quickly grow their lead to 21 points, 54-33. Porter was again the catalyst, turning steals into easy layups and knocking down jump shots when given the open look. By the end of the third quarter, Porter had 25 points and the Lady Bisons were in possession of a commanding 64-41 advantage.
"We talked about playing a complete four quarters at the half," Castagnolo said. "I said, ‘let's put them away in the third quarter.' We played tough defense. We trapped off the 1-3-1. We were aggressive the whole time."
Porter wasn't the only Lady Bison who enjoyed the new offense.
Madison Sopic was also in double figures, scoring 12 points, while adding four rebounds, three assists and three steals. The duo of Sopic and Porter was simply too much for the Lady Falcons to handle.
"Madison plays very aggressive," Castagnolo said. "That's what I like. And she played so well with Gwenn."
In the fourth quarter, Amber Byerly asserted herself in the paint. She grabbed three of her team-high six rebounds in the quarter and scored four of her six points.
In all, Clearfield saw 10 of its 11 players who dressed varsity score. Elizabeth Peters netted eight, with Jayme Ryan adding six on a pair of treys. Lori Zalno, had four points and four boards, while Kristen Butler and Breanna Peters also scored four apiece.
Coudersport got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Hannah Fink, who had some success in the paint against the Lady Bisons. Jenna Matzinger also did some damage in the post, scoring eight points and pulling down nine rebounds.
"This will send a message to District 9," Castagnolo said. "This was a good Coudersport team. I am so pleased. These seniors deserve this. All seven of them have been with me for four years, and we've been building for this year."
The Lady Bisons now have a long layoff.
They will not be back in action until Dec. 28 when they travel to the Bald Eagle Area Tournament.
Clearfield won the jayvee game, 44-29. Rachel Thompson scored 10 to lead the Lady Bisons.
NOTES: Coudersport was 22-4 last season, finishing as the District 9 Class A runner-up and qualifying for the PIAA Tournament. The loss to the Lady Bisons snaps an 18-game, regular-season winning streak ... Clearfield outrebounded Coudersport, 29-28 ... Angela Moore led the Lady Bisons in assists with four. Coudersport turned the ball over 30 times with 16 being the result of Clearfield steals ... The Lady Falcons went to the free throw line 23 times, but only converted six of their shots. Clearfield was 13-for-22 from the line with Porter, Byerly and Sopic taking 18 of the free throws. Coudersport-52
McCusker 1 0-2 2, T. Brown 2 0-2 5, Matzinger 3 1-7 8, Fink 10 1-6 21, Cowburn 2 3-4 7, Kopionski 3 0-0 7, Linden 0 0-0 0, Whitman 0 1-2 1, Morey 0 0-0 0, Green 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 6-23 52.
Clearfield-77
Byerly 2 2-6 6, E. Peters 3 2-2 8, Porter 12 3-7 28, Sopic 4 4-5 12, Ryan 2 0-0 6, Zalno 1 2-2 4, Moore 1 0-0 3, Butler 2 0-0 4, B. Peters 2 0-0 4, Ambuski 0 0-0 0, Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 30 13-22 77.
Three-pointers: T. Brown, Matzinger, Kopionski 2; Porter, Ryan 2, Moore.
Score by Quarters
Coudersport ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀ16Á15Á10Á11-52
Clearfield ÀÀÀ ÀÀÀ24Á19Á21Á13-77
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