Leps roll to give Slagus first win

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com

Belle Vernon Area girls basketball coach Kaitlyn Slagus got to watch her team rebound in a big way after a season-opening loss at McKeesport Friday.
The Leopards routed visiting Laurel Highlands Tuesday, 64-24, to give their first-year head coach career win No. 1 on the floor she used to play on.
Sophomore Viva Kreis scored a career-high 19 points and Grace Henderson added 13 points as the Leopards had no problems wearing down the Mustangs’ six-man squad.
“Getting the first win is a little nerve-racking,” Slagus said. “I’m really excited, but I’m more excited with how the girls played. We started a little slow, but once we got relaxed I felt a lot better.”
Midway through the first quarter Laurel Highlands, who was a 59-15 loser at Thomas Jefferson Monday, led 8-7 after a basket by Essence Davis.
But Slagus called a timeout to get her team calmed down and went on a 6-0 run to help push themselves to a 15-10 lead after the first.
“We were really forcing a lot in the first quarter and once I called that timeout and we settled down we were much better,” Slagus said. “Laurel Highlands came to play and I think the girls found that out in the first quarter.”
The problem of having only one available substitution was compounded for the Mustangs when Essence Davis picked up her third foul in the first quarter and her fourth early in the second.
Kreis and Presleigh Colditz hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 30-0 run through the second quarter to take a 45-10 lead at the half.
Laurel Highlands turned the ball over 14 times in the frame, leading to plenty of easy baskets for BVA (1-1).
“We just started to finish around the basket and we were knocking down our outside shots,” Slagus said. “We were joking on the bench that the girls hit those shots left and right in practice. It had to be only a matter of time before they started falling in the game.”
The Leopards hit seven 3-pointers in the game and had nine different players score. Colditz joined Kreis and Henderson in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
“It’s important that Viva is hitting from the outside because that frees up Grace more inside,” Slagus said. “Grace had a great game in there and is really athletic.
“Viva is such a pest defensively. She was really good on the ball defending and was attacking the boards. Her taking leadership as a sophomore has been impressive to watch and she’s just a good player and girl to be around.”
Kreis added five rebounds and five assists for the Leopards and freshman Tessa Rodriguez finished with seven steals.
“A game like this is big in terms of our confidence,” Slagus said. “It’s especially helpful going into West Mifflin.”
Most of the second half was time for the Leopards’ reserves to shine and Slagus was happy to see them take advantage of their minutes.
“I think they really tried to force the ball inside too much, but that comes with game experience,” Slagus said. “But they took advantage of their time and they put the ball in the basket.
“Overall, I’m pretty happy with the result and happy to get that first win out of the way.”
The Leopards travel to West Mifflin for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff Thursday.