If defense wins championships, the Perry Pirates could be on their way to a magical season.
The Pirates shut down host West Geauga’s potent offense in a 54-26 key Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game on Saturday.
“I was really pleased with our intensity to start the game and throughout,” Perry coach Roy Infalvi, Jr. said. “I thought our girls came out and set the tone of the game. I think the big key to our success today was our defense. Anna Sorine, Marcela Rodriguez and Gigi Vicini were tremendous on the defensive end.”
That trio held West Geauga standouts Nikki Ehrbar and Athena Hocevar to a combined eight points.
“West G has some great offensive players so I’m really happy with the way we defended today,” Infalvi said. “Anna and Gigi were able to cause some problems but our team overall did great at communicating and rotating and in turn created some turnovers. Our rebounding has been key for us this year and I thought that continued tonight led. Makenzie Hacking has come up big in that department.”
Sophomore Elle Infalvi led the Pirates with a game-high 16 points, sophomore Madyson Hacking added 14 and Sorine also scored in double figures with 11.
“Both Elle and Madyson are players we rely on to score night in and night out,” Coach Infalvi said. “Elle made some big 3s and Madyson had a lot of scores at key times after West G would get some scores.”
Perry improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the CVC Chagrin Division. West Geauga dropped to 4-1, 2-1.
“West G is a well-coached team with good players,” Infalvi said. “Going to their place for a big league game was a good test for us. I’m glad we came out and responded to the challenge the way we did.”
The Pirates host Hawken on Monday while the Wolverines will look to rebound at Orange on Wednesday.
Perry 54, West Geauga 26
Perry (5-1, 3-0 CVC): Infalvi 16, Mad. Hacking 14, Sutyak 3, Pietrzak 4, Sorine 11, Rodriguez 2, Mak. Hacking 3, Anderson 1
West Geauga (4-1, 3-1 CVC): Hocevar 5, Ehrbar 3, Zebrowski 2, Lamento 2, Sexton 4, Mueller 2, Munko 8
Perry 13 12 19 10 — 54
West Geauga 5 7 7 7 — 26
Free throws: Perry 5 of 10, West Geauga 10 of 18; 3-pointers: Perry 7 (Infalvi 4, Mad. Hacking 2, Sutyak 1), West Geauga 2 (Hocevar 1, Munko 1)
