LEWISTOWN - Veteran leadership took center stage Saturday night for the Mifflin County Huskies as teammates Ashleigh Williams and Olivia Halfpenny combined for 47 of Mifflin County's 68 points to increase their record to 2-0 in the Mifflin County Tip-Off Challenge.
The Huskies started out strong against Milton, opening a 19-10 first-quarter advantage and never looking back as they went onto the 68-37 victory over the Panthers.
Williams led all scorers with a 26-point effort while Halfpenny made her 21 points from everywhere, hitting the long jumpers, 3-point shots, strong inside rebounds and even was hot at the free throw line.
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Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKER
Mifflin County’s Ashleigh Williams (12) goes for the lay-up around Milton’s Mackenna Miller (10) Saturday in the Mifflin County Tip-Off Challenge. See more photos online at cu.lewistownsentinel.com
It would also be a game in which Mifflin County coach Kevin Kodish was able to get some of his younger players some valuable playing time before the start of the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division schedule that hits the squad this week.
Also making strong contributions for Mifflin County were Rebeka Knable with an eight-point night. Teammates Kylee Cassatt and Breanna Cline chipped in with six points apiece.
"The last four minutes of the first half we weren't playing ball like we should've," Kodish said. "Offensively, we were thinking about the shot before we were taking them. You have to play both sides of the floor.
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"At halftime, I old them they needed to step up and play and that exactly what they did."
Leading the way offensively for Milton was Karissa Brown with an 11-point effort. It was the only player that the high-powered defense of Mifflin County would allow to finish in double figures all evening.
After opening up to a 19-10 run in the first, Milton started to chip into the Huskies' lead, outscoring Mifflin County 10-9 in the second to trail by only eight points at 28-20 as the two teams went into the locker room.
However, after regrouping in the third quarter, the Huskies came out on all cylinders and distanced themselves from Milton, going on an early 12-2 run. In the run, Mifflin County was led by Halfpenny, as she scored seven of those 12 points.
The quick start was also enough to get the defense going. The offensive side working the ball offered time for the defensive side to take control.
And took control it did, clamping down on the Milton offense, allowing only 17 points total scored in the second half.
Leading 50-30 going into the final stanza, it was time for Kodish and company to slowly empty the bench and get the subs some most valuable playing time.
The reserves did not disappoint as they held the Panthers to just seven points in the fourth quarter, going onto the 31-point victory over Milton.
The conference schedule begins Tuesday at home for the Huskies, who host Cumberland Valley.
