Makenna Weimert

JOHNSTOWN — Hollidaysburg girls basketball coach Deanna Jubeck divides her team’s goals in three areas.

“We talked before the game about controlling three (aspects): Shot selection and rebounding were two of the big ones. And I thought we did those well,” Jubeck said after the Lady Tigers breezed to their sixth consecutive victory, a 52-34 decision against Greater Johnstown in a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference game on Friday night at Doc Stofko Gymnasium.

“The third one was turnovers. If we can control two out of those three things, it’ll put you in a good position to win.”

Senior Makenna Weimert scored 10 of Hollidaysburg’s 16 first-quarter points as the Golden Tigers seized immediate command. She finished with a game-best 23 points.

“When she’s having a good game, we’re in a good place to be because she’s able to score, able to get to the rim and distribute. And that’s what you want in a point guard,” Jubeck said.

“She’s a great offensive rebounder for a point guard. She pretty much dominated the first half on the boards,” Trojans coach Xavier Thomas said.

Hollidaysburg led the entire game and led by as many as 12 points before halftime.

Jubeck said the practices have not been long, but they have been productive.

“We’re working hard in practice. Practices haven’t been long, but we’ve getting full efforts. And that’s what we’re doing and that’s where we’re getting our improvement from, so we’re able to take what we’re doing in practice and transfer it to the games,” she said.

Jillian Sidney hit a 3-pointer from the right wing, and Weimert split a pair at the free-throw line to give Hollidaysburg its greatest lead, 45-26, entering the final minute of the third quarter.

Alana Lightner added 14 points, and Sidney chipped in 11.

Zayona Thomas led the Trojans with 11 points. The senior point guard was the only Johnstown player to achieve double-figure scoring.

“(Hollidaysburg) did a really good job denying our scorers the basketball and being physical with them. They did a great job on the offensive rebounds,” Thomas said.

Johnstown is rebuilding after a series of down years. The Trojans hope to make success an expectation instead of an aspiration.

“Winning is kind of hard to do. So you have to do the consistent things every day,” Thomas said. “We’re taking the steps to get there. It’s a work in progress. When you lose for a long time, it’s hard to turn on the knobs and be winners.”

“Johnstown is a very well-coached and athletic team. They go up and down the court. And they have the inside and outside games. So it’s a really good matchup for anyone they’re going to play. They’re going to be a tough out in the Laurel Highlands and down the stretch in districts,” Jubeck said.

HOLLIDAYSBURG (52): Padamonsky 1 0-0 2, Hayer 1 0-0 2, Sidney 4 2-2 11, Weimert 8 7-14 23, Lightner 5 4-6 12, Leighty 0 0-0 0, Gearhart 0 0-0 0, Long 0 0-0 0. Totals – 19 13-20 52.

JOHNSTOWN (34): Thomas 4 2-2 11, Hardison 1 0-0 2, Tisinger 2 3-5 7, White 2 2-2 7, Reed 1 0-0 2, Jeffers 1 1-2 3, Morrison-Rozier 1 0-1 2, Cypher 0 0-0 0. Totals – 12 8-12 34.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Hollidaysburg 16 14 16 6 – 52

Johnstown 9 11 7 7 – 34

3-point goals: Hollidaysburg 1 (Sidney), Johnstown 2 (Thomas, White).

Officials: Justin Frear, Joe Hanna, Ethan Vipond.

Records: Hollidaysburg (10-2, 8-1 LHAC), Johnstown (9-5, 7-4 LHAC).

JV: No game.