GBB: Chargers fall to Warriors

DANVILLE – The Danville girls’ basketball team has had North Montgomery’s number over the past two years. In the past two seasons the Warriors have downed the Chargers by at least 40 points and Friday night’s Sagamore Conference battle was no different. The Warriors continued to get back to their winning ways after a tough opener in last week’s Hendricks County tournament routing North Montgomery 66-28. Warrior coach Kaley May, who has seen her fair share of lopsided victories in six seasons at the helm, notes there are some challenges in playing games against competition you’re supposed to beat handily. “I think this was a good opportunity to get better at things that you do,” May said. “So, try to perfect the way you run plays, look for different options and we kept preaching playing perfectly fundamental defense.” In addition to running their normal offense, the Warriors (14-4, 5-0 Sagamore Conference) were able to get some of their players some extra shot confidence. Haley Godwin, Peyton Turner and Arionna Pettijohn were just a few of the players given the greenlight to shoot at will. Another positive note for the Warriors was the return of point guard Chloe Gould, who came off the bench in spurts to spell either Ella Collier or Maddie Patterson. Gould is a key piece for the Warriors if they plan to make another long run in the postseason. She had been sidelined with a foot injury and only played in the first half. “We’re definitely on a restriction and we’re just trying to work her back in,” May said. “It was so good to see her back out there. She’s such an energetic kid on and off the floor and she’s so positive to have around the team.” Danville and Tri-West have been the tops in the conference over the past couple of seasons and, from May’s perspective, the needed improvement for the Chargers (3-16, 1-4 SAC) is to take better care of the basketball. She explains some of the difficulties North Montgomery faces are akin to when the Warriors play up against Class 4A competition in the greater-Indianapolis area. “We’ve played against teams that really pressure you, are bigger than you — 4A teams tend to be that way — and, in those games, it’s really hard not to turn the ball over,” May said. “I think [North Montgomery] did a nice job of trying to (run) backdoor cuts on us after we pressured, they did a nice job of having a release option in the press and I think just taking care of the ball is the focal point.” Collier led the way for the Warriors with 18 points, dogged closely by Patterson, who notched 17. Haley Godwin and Jenna Cowart scored nine and eight, respectively, and Katie Davis scored six. Maddie Moseley paced the Chargers with five points. Kendall Humphreys, Grace McClaskey, Katie Rice and Nina Gable each scored four. Danville welcomes Lafayette Central Catholic tonight at 7:30 p.m. while the Chargers are off until next Tuesday for a tilt with Seeger.