Basketball

Senior uses offense, defense to spark Altoona win

By Jamie Eichenlaub

For the Mirror

Altoona's Jaiden Krull is rarely the tallest post player on the court, listed on the roster sheet at just 5-foot-7, but she tends to draw the defensive assignment on the opposing team's taller players.

Krull, affectionately called "the bouncer" by her coaches and teammates, did plenty of damage in the post Tuesday night.

She scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter, converting a number of layups and short jumpers close to the basket throughout the game, to help the Lady Lions turn away visiting State College, 53-37, in an early-season Mid-Penn Conference matchup at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse.

"We joke around with her, we call her the bouncer because she can defend most teams' bigger players," Altoona head coach Chris Fleegle said. "Jaiden is one of only three seniors. She's been working extremely hard and I'm glad to see her have this much success on the floor tonight."

After State College jumped out to an early 5-0 advantage, Krull hit a jumper to put Altoona on the scoreboard, then scored six more first-quarter points to keep the game close as the Lady Lions trailed 16-15 to start the second quarter.

"I'm glad I made those shots to get us going," Krull said. "We needed that."

Krull also came up big in the fourth quarter. When State College sliced a 14-point Altoona lead to six points late in the game, 43-37, with 3:08 remaining, Krull knocked down a short jump shot with 2:33 left in the game, and later drained two free throws, to help seal the victory.

"It feels great to get the win," said Krull, who also chipped in five rebounds. "We worked for it. We had a great two practices leading up to this game getting us prepared for them. It was a tough game and I'm glad we were able to come together as a team to finish it off."

Altoona, playing its first home game of the season, improved its record to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference. State College dropped to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

"It's always tough to have your first in-conference game against one of your district rivals," State College head coach Alli Mock said. "Overall, it was a good test for us to see where we stand."

State College started strong, leading 5-0 and 11-4 early, fronted by freshman Sheree Wilson's nine first-quarter points, to hold an early 16-15 edge after the first quarter.

Altoona responded with six straight points to begin the second quarter - a Krull jumper, a Lanie Wilt layup, and a Krull layup - to put Altoona up 21-16 at the 6:08 mark, a lead it wouldn't give up the rest of the game. Melania Eyer banked in a 3-pointer late in the first half to give the Lady Lions a 30-21 lead heading into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Altoona ballooned its lead to its largest of the game, 43-29, on a Krull layup with just under six minutes to go in the game. State College battled back as Sheree Wilson scored the next six points - a pair of layups and a pair of free throws - and twin sister Sienna Wilson added a layup to cap an 8-0 run that sliced the lead to six (43-37).

Altoona had a strong answer, getting four points from Wilt, four from Krull, and two from Melana Eyer, to put together a 10-0 run to end the game.

"It was a good win against a good State College basketball team," Fleegle said. "State College is a good, young team. They battled and came back, but we showed some resiliency, extended the lead and finished out the game."

State College freshman Sheree Wilson scored a team-high 15 points and sister Sienna chipped in seven points.

"We're excited to have them on the team," Mock said. "I like the spark and energy that they bring. This is probably one of the more athletic teams we've had in a long time."

Altoona travels to play cross-town rival Hollidaysburg on Thursday.

"We had an emotional game tonight and get to play at Hollidaysburg on Thursday, another rivalry/emotional game against a very well-coached team," Fleegle said. "They will be ready and it should be an exciting game."

GAME NOTES: Altoona junior Melana Eyer had a team-high eight rebounds. … State College's Jessica Hawbaker had a team-leading five rebounds. … State College hosts Central Dauphin in another conference game on Friday.

STATE COLLEGE (37): Hawbaker 3 0-0 6, Donnell 1 1-2 3, Sh. Wilson 6 3-3 15, Si. Wilson 3 0-0 7, Tate 1 0-0 2, Risha 0 0-0 0, Whitehurst 1 0-0 2, Bechtel 1 0-0 2. Totals - 16 4-5 37.

ALTOONA (53): M. Eyer 5 1-1 13, Nguyen-Moore 1 1-2 3, Wilt 4 2-2 12, Hollabaugh 1 0-0 2, Krull 8 2-4 18, R. Eyer 0 0-0 0, Harpster 1 2-2 5, Knorr 0 0-0 0. Totals - 20 8-11 53.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

State College 16 5 8 8 - 37

Altoona 15 15 9 14 - 53

3-point goals - State College 1 (Si. Wilson); Altoona 5 (M. Eyer 2, Wilt 2, Harpster).

Records: State College (1-2, 0-1 Mid Penn Commonwealth); Altoona (2-2, 1-0 Mid Penn Commonwealth).

JV: Altoona, 47-34. High Scorers: Sam Mikesic, SC, 12; Ajaycia Alexander, A, 10.

Officials: Mike Andrews, Randy Burket, Courtney Cecere.