By Kenny Varner

WINGATE –  Heading into the Christmas break, the East Juniata girls basketball team traveled to Wingate in a battle of Tri-Valley League versus Laurel Highlands.

Coming off their first win of the season, the Lady Eagles were looking to make it two-in-row while the Tigers were looking for their fifth win under rookie coach Laurel Amey.

Both teams came into the contest possessing strong defenses.

Tonight was no exception as the two combined to allow only 28 first half points in the Eagles 39-23 victory.

“The defense looked good tonight. It was a good night all around. It started in JV and continued into the varsity,” said Bald Eagle Area coach Michael Habovick. “They are finally catching on to what we are trying to do here. They are doing a great job and getting better every game.”

“We are showing it now. We are 10 deep on the bench and they are all getting to play and are giving me quality minutes.”

In the first quarter, the Eagles scored the first bucket of the night when Gabbie Perry posted an inside bucket.

East Juniata battled right back to take a one-point lead via a triple by sharpshooter Carolyn Dressler.

“It was one of those nights that the shots weren’t falling for us. We need to clean up a few things, take care of the ball better and execute on offense better,” said East Juniata coach Laurel Amey. “It was one of those tough nights but I’m proud of my kids for fighting to the end.”

With five and a half minutes left in the opening period, the Lady Eagles took back the lead for good in the first half on a long two by Addison Mottin.

Using its pressing style defense, the Eagles forced a turnover and got the ball to Taylor Habovick from beyond the arc, cashing in a triple, upping it to a 9-3 advantage with 4:33.

Defensively, the Tigers tightened its game, scoring three consecutive points, cutting the Eagles lead to 9-6.

The Eagles finished the quarter going on a 2-1 mini run.

When the second quarter got underway, the Lady Eagles held an 11-7 advantage.

Both defenses took their game to the next level in the second. The Eagles got buckets from Addison Motten, Gabbie Perry and Charlotte Gavlock to take a 6-4 lead.

Scoring the Tigers four was Landyn Cramer. Cramer led the scoring for East Juniata with nine.

Going into the intermission, the Eagles held a 17-11 advantage as the Lady Tigers remained within striking distance.

It would be a 13-point third quarter that Bald Eagle Area would use to extend their lead once again. The Lady Tigers were held to just six points.

Both teams battled to the end and in the final stanza, the Eagles were able to keep the advantage, scoring nine en route to the 39-23 victory.

In the JV contest, the Lady Eagles were victorious by a 29-15.

Bald Eagle Area 39, East Juniata 23

EJ       7 4   6 6 – 23

BEA  11 6 13 9 – 39

Scoring: EJ –     Landyn Cramer 3 3-6 9, Carolyn Dressler 2 0-0 5, Makaylyn Peters 1 0-0 2, Madison Snyder 1 4-6 7. Totals 7 7-10 23. BEA – Charlotte Gavlock 2 0-0 4, Lydia Walk 2 0-0 4, Gabbie Perry 5 0-2 12, Taylor Habovick 4 0-0 9, Olivia Taylor 3 0-0 6, Addison Motten 2 0-0 4, totals 18 0-4 39.

Played but didn’t score: EJ –  Alicia Spade 0 0-0 0, Hayden Cook 0 0-0 0, Kennedy Seigler-Lewis 0 0-4 0, Chloe Swartz 0 0-0 0, Addison Eby 0 0-0 0. BEA – Madison Stamm 0 0-0 0, Danyka Smith 0 0-0 0, Jaysa Smith 0 0-0 0, Kinsey Clark 0 0-0 0, Lily Harter 0 0-2 0.

Three-Point shots: EJ –   Snyder, Dressler. BEA – Habovick, Perry 2.