Hollidaysburg continues its run through schedule, tops Lady Raiders

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: January 12, 2024

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE- Friday night, the Bellefonte girls had a huge task in front of it as they welcomed undefeated Hollidaysburg team that has run roughshod over everyone they faced this season.

The young Red Raider crew battled throughout their battle with the Tigers but it was too much for the scrappy group as they fell 56-12.

A bright spot for the Red Raiders on the night was the play of Keara Whitman. Despite being undersized, Whitman was very successful on the boards, pulling down 12 in the loss. She also forced the Tigers into numerous turnovers and grinded out three points.

“She’s a great leader.she gets everyone pumped up. said Bellefonte coach Marrisa Ward. “She does a great job rebounding. Under the basket she is definitely strong in put backs.”

For Hollidaysburg, the veteran group was led by floor leader, Bella Vent was active out front forcing turnovers while attacking the basket on offense. The veteran guard finished with a game-high 25 points.

Her teammate Clare Padamonsky, was tough on the boards as well as she was relenting in the paint, posting 11 points.

Defensively, the Tigers’ Samantha Shoemaker finished in double figures in rebounds with 13 and four blocks.

Hollidaysburg out rebounded Bellefonte 45-21. The Tigers also forced six blocks.

In the first stanza, Hollidaysburg got out pressing the young Bellefonte squad, resulting in two back-to-back shots by Vent and five consecutive points by Lauren Stevenson. Stevenson started her night by hitting a triple from beyond the arc and an offensive rebound and score, making it an early 9-0 advantage.

With still five minutes left, Hollidaysburg netted an 11-0 lead.

Bellefonte ended the shut out on a strong run in the paint by Maria Cotter.

Minutes later, Cotter caught a pass from Whitman and then went aggressively into the basket, cutting it to a 12-4 Hollidaysburg advantage.

Vent and company continued its press and opportunistic defense allowing its offense to go on an 8-0 run. Six of those points came from the hot hand of Vent, making it a 22-4 lead going into the second period.

Things proved to be a closer in the second period as the Bellefonte offense posted five as its defense allowed only 12.

The advantage was still in the corner of the Tigers, leading 34-9 going into the intermission.

Leading the way offensively for Bellefonte was Riley Santastefano finished with three while Gianna Jasseh had a field goal. Chloe Padamonsky was her teams leading scorer in the period, posting four.

The Tigers scoring continued in the third period, posting 16 in the period, causing the game to go into the mercy rule status, leading 50-12 as the game went into the final stanza.

Hollidaysburg’s defense kept the Lady Raiders at bay allowing no scores while it padded on six en route to the victory.

Bellefonte travels to Bald Eagle Monday in a rivalry match up.

Hollidaysburg 56, Bellefonte 12

H 22 12 16 6 – 56

B 4 5 3 0 – 12

Scoring: Hollidaysburg – Clare Padamonsky 5 0-1 11, Hannah DiPangrazio 2 0-0 4, Bella Vent 8 8-10 25, Kate Steiner 0 1-2 1, Kamryn Lear 1 0-0 2, Lauren Stevenson 2 0-0 5, Makenna Weimert 3 0-3 6, Samantha Shoemaker 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 9-16 56. Bellefonte – Maria Cotter 2 0-0 4, Keara Whitman 1 1-2 3, Gianna Jasseh 1 0-0 2, Riley Santastefano 1 1-1 3. Totals 5 2-3 12.

Played but didn’t score: Hollidaysburg – Jillian Sidney 0 0-0 0, Maya Gearhart 0 0-0 0, Erin Quigley 0 0-0 0. Bellefonte – Madison Ripka 0 0-0 0, Talia Cotter 0 0-0 0, Emma Rania 0 0-0 0, Madalyn Lucas 0 0-0 0.

3-point shots: Hollidaysburg – Vent, Stevenson. Bellefonte – None.