Girls basketball: Strong fourth quarter gets Teays Valley past DeSales
Saturday, December 16, 2023
By Scott Gerfen
sgerfen@cbussports.com
Teays Valley’s Tessa Horsley shoots over DeSales’ Kenyetietta Quinn during the Vikings’ win in the “Battle in the 614” at Ohio Dominican Dec. 16. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Basketball coaches preach finishing strong around the basket.
Teays Valley girls basketball coach Trevor Younkin has put an emphasis on finishing strong in the fourth quarter, which his group has struggled to do so far this season.
The Vikings hit eight of 12 free throws to close out a 40-30 victory over DeSales Saturday in the second annual Battle in the 614, a two-day showcase of 21 central Ohio girls programs at Ohio Dominican University.
“I think we were able to take care of the ball and have good ball possessions and attack and try to get some inside-outside, and if they overplay, hit a layup,” said Younkin, whose team improved to 3-3. “That’s what we were able to do in the fourth quarter.”
Teays Valley’s Abby Tier (4) dribble past DeSales’ Sarah Herzberg during the Vikings’ win in the “Battle in the 614” at Ohio Dominican Dec. 16. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Sisters Tessa and Alyssa Horsley, a freshman and senior, respectively, were able to do just that, while senior Abby Tier made five of the eight free throws in the fourth quarter.
Tessa Horsely finished with a team-best 12 points and added five rebounds, while Alyssa Horsely scored eight points with eight rebounds and six assists.
The Vikings led 26-21 at the end of the third quarter.
“The difference was our grit,” Alyssa Horsely said. “Last night we suffered a big league loss that we probably should’ve won, and it came down to the fourth quarter. We knew today we had to push through and find it within ourselves … and that’s what we did.”
Desales’ Kenyetietta Quinn drives the baseline as Teays Valley’s Alyssa Horsley defends during the “Battle in the 614” at Ohio Dominican Dec. 16. Photo: Kevin Rouch
With starting point guard Jordyn Miller missing due to being in concussion protocol, DeSales relied on its inside game with senior post player Kenyetietta Quinn leading all scorers with 22. She also had 10 rebounds.
“I think we’re learning how to play without Jordan,” DeSales coach Erick Herzberg said. “We have players who can fill that gap, but she has the most varsity experience. We’ve got to figure it out a little bit better.”
DeSales, which dropped to 3-3, was averaging 54.6 points entering the game, but Herzberg wasn’t happy with the Stallions shot selection.
On top of that, the Vikings were able to create pressure on the perimeter.
“We knew that they had two athletic post players, and it was hard when we only had one athletic post player to try and match that,” Younkin said. “We still were able to pressure their guards hard to enough to make it difficult for them to score.”