By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
The West Davidson girls made a little progress in their second game of 2011 against Salisbury on Friday night.
They lost by 58, two points less than the beating the Green Dragons took last week.
There was no doubt the score would be something like Fridayís 79-21 final. The big question is, how do the Hornets get up for a team they beat by 60 a week earlier.
ěThe young ladies have two goals in mind,î Salisbury coach Chris McNeil said. ěThey want to go undefeated in the conference and theyíre pushing real hard for another state championship.î
West coach David Klinkoski certainly has respect for the Hornets.
ěI know very well how good they are,î he said. ěI know from the first time we played them.î
West (1-11, 0-4) competed mightily but the young Green Dragons were simply overwhelmed.
Jessica Heilig, Brielle Blaire and Olivia Rankin controlled the boards. Blaire finished with seven and Heilig six in abbreviated action. McNeil gave his second team, led by Najwa Allison, Doreen Richardson, Ebony Feamster, Ayana Hicks and Carrie Thompson, plenty of playing time. Those five combined for 20 points.
ěThat whole unit works hard in practice,î McNeil said. ěA lot of times, the things they do go unnoticed but theyíre prepared for game situations at any time.î
McNeil allowed his starters to play most of the first quarter and West Davidson was in a quick 23-2 hole.
Blaire and Allison took over in the second quarter. Salisburyís starters played sparingly in the third but it was a 20-6 burst that had West Davidson trailing 55-17 going into the fourth.
Klinkoski did see some positives.
ěWhen we made better decisions and quit trying to throw the ball over the top, we got some passes off,î he said. ěBut they forced us into mistakes.î
Heilig led the Hornets with 18 points, while Blaire and Ashia Holmes each had 12. Ayanna Holmes produced some spectacular assists.
WEST DAVIDSON (21)ó Hutchinson 8, Norman 6, Middleton 3, Eller 2, Hughes 2.
SALISBURY (79) ó Heilig 18, Blaire 12, Ash. Holmes 12, Rankin 8, Richardson 6, Allison 6, Aya. Holmes 5, Miller 4, Hicks 4, Feamster 2, Thompson 2.
W. Dav. 2 9 6 4 ó 21
Salisbury 23 12 20 24 ó 79