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Washington Evening Journal
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Panther girls top Tigers on night of returns
Lopreato goes off again as Mt. Pleasant races past New London
NEW LONDON — The girls basketball game between Mt. Pleasant and New London was highlighted by a handful of highly-anticipated returns. Mt. Pleasant head coach Curt Watson, a former New London boys head coach, was able to coach against his former team, and both the Panthers and Tigers saw comebacks from previously injured stars.
But the night also saw much in the same when it comes to a red-hot Panther ballclub. Mt. Pleasant won its third game in a row, and it was another in blowout fashion. The Panthers defeated the Tigers 55-14 for their third win by 29 points or more in as many games.
“We wanted to get going right away, and to try to pick up our energy,” said Watson, who saw his team race out to a 24-2 lead after one quarter. “I thought we were sloppy for the first couple minutes, but then we got up.”
The Mt. Pleasant girls were almost completely back to normal, as usual starting point guard Tristian Shull made her return from injury, after missing most of the season so far, but did not start in the game. That meant the scoring was largely dominated once again by Andrea Lopreato and Kenna Lamm.
Lopreato filled the stat sheet yet again. She finished the night with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals.
Neither Lopreato or Lamm had to play in the fourth quarter, but the stat sheet didn’t show it. Lamm finished the night with 18 points, five over a season average that has already seen an eight-point rise since last season.
“A lot of it is me running the court a lot,” said Lamm. “Almost every play down, I'll be the first one down the court and either Andrea or Jadan (Brumbaugh) will throw it down to me.”
Brumbaugh finished the night with five points. Kate Schimmelpfennig tacked on two.
The Panthers led 37-6 at halftime and 53-12 after three quarters.
Emma Nye scored five points to lead New London. Mylee Miller, Sophie Malott, Jazzimen Pacheco and Lillie Gallup all had two, and Camryn Lair finished with one.
The Tigers saw the season debut of lone senior Ashlyn McSorley, the team’s leading returner from last year. Coach Terri Hester-Mathews says that’s a key puzzle piece to help a young squad grow this season.
“She’s a substantial player,” Hester-Mathews said. “To have her back is huge.”
Mt. Pleasant moved to 4-6 with the win. New London is 0-12.
Mt. Pleasant’s Tristian Shull launches a 3-pointer in her return to action on Monday night in New London. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
New London’s Morgan Jones takes a midrange jump shot on Monday night against Mt. Pleasant. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Mt. Pleasant’s Jadan Brumbaugh pulls down a rebound during the Panthers’ 55-14 win over New London on Monday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
New London’s Ashlyn McSorley (3) handles the ball while being chased down by Mt. Pleasant’s Tori Wilson (2) on Monday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
