Warriors outlast Titans, 62-58

By zack zeigler

MVI Sports

Elizabeth Forward kept pace with teams near the top of the Section 3-4A standings by defeating West Mifflin, 62-58, Thursday night. 

EF (5-4, 3-1), McKeesport and Belle Vernon are all tied for second at 3-1, while Southmoreland holds the section lead with a record of 4-0. 

“Our section is very difficult,” Elizabeth Forward head coach Krystal Gibbs said. “There is no number one team or that team that is going to run through the section. This is a big win on West Mifflin’s floor because their fans are awesome and are always yelling, and there is just an energy here. This is a big win for us.”

The Titans (4-4, 2-2) started the night hot, scoring eight of the game’s first 10 points to make it 8-2 after three minutes. 

As things looked to be slipping out of the Warriors’ grasp early, senior Abby Bickerton provided the spark her team needed, hitting three straight shots to get the offense going.

“We talked about how important (Bickerton) was going to be, particularly because of her height,” said Gibbs. “West Mifflin isn’t that big and when Abby can put the ball in the hoop, she can put that ball in the hoop. We knew we needed to get the ball to her and keep it above her head.”

Brooke Markland kept the run going with three straight buckets to give her team the lead. EF ended the first quarter on an 11-2 run, taking a 19-16 edge after eight minutes.

“Brooke has been getting better and better with each game,” Gibbs said. “She had some errors tonight, but she is young. She stepped up and she did what we needed her to do.”

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