EJ girls take first meeting against rival Juniata

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: January 5, 2019

By Kenny Varner

COCOLAMUS – Another Page has been written.

There was an Electric atmosphere at the East Juniata High School gym as the East Juniata girls renewed its annual rivalry with fellow Juniata County member, Juniata.

The Tigers took an early 11-3 first quarter lead and was able to fend off the Indians numerous times en route to the 39-34 victory Friday in front of a packed house of fans.

Clayre Guyer has the hot hand for the “Maroon and White” posting a 13-point effort.

Most of Guyer’s points came from beyond the arc.

Carly Beaver finished with seven.

Mackenzie Bennett and Chloe Zendt led Juniata with 10. Zendt had a double-double also pulling down 10 rebounds.

Teammate Malin Kint was strong inside, finishing with nine points and five rebounds.

In the first, Guyer got the game started with a triple.

On the following possession, East Juniata Thea Neimond stole the ball and laced it in for a bucket.

Juniata got on the board at 5:30 when Bennett hit a soft jumper, cutting it to 5-2.

Guyer got the call once again, hitting a long two.

On the next East Juniata possession, Beaver hit one-of-two from the charity stripe.

Juniata center Kint was hacked trying to score of an offensive rebound. She hit one-of-two of the line for Juniata’s last point of the period.

Guyer ended the scoring like she started, hitting a triple with 1:48 left.

In the second period, both teams came out firing and battled to a stalemate as both scored 14 in the second.

Leading the way for East Juniata were Alyssa Hibbs and Alyssa Robinson with four.

Juniata got five from Mya Rush and Bennett.

When the two went into the lockerooms at halftime, the Tigers led 25-17.

The Indian were able to battle back in the third quarter, pulling to as close as seven but a late bucket by Hibbs extended the game back to a 9-point advantage going into the final stanza.

Refusing to give up, Juniata was able to cut the EJ lead to four at 32-28 with 4:37 left.

But just like the last three quarters, the Tigers came up with the plays when they needed it as they were able to hold off Juniata and take home a 5-point victory.