Playing without two key players proved to be a challenge for South’s girls basketball team but the Rebels held on to defeat visiting Geneva, 30-29, in Saturday’s season opener for both squads.
“It's great for our confidence,” said South coach Erin Ertter. “We won without our starting point guard Mya Matriano and post off the bench Lydia Abrams, so that is huge. It wasn't pretty after the first quarter, but a win is a win. We have a lot to work on.”
South got off to a good start in building an 11-5 first quarter leader and the Rebels led, 14-12, at halftime.
A 12-6 advantage in the third quarter gave South the cushion it would need to withstand Geneva’s fourth quarter run.
“Like I said, it wasn't pretty but we did what we had to do to get the ‘W,’” Ertter said. “We need to learn from our weaknesses that were exposed and get better on Monday.”
Senior Grace Weyman-Heller led the Rebels with nine points while Amira Churn contributed with eight and Erynn Daubenmire finished with seven.
The Rebels held Geneva standout Hailey Peoples, the 2016 Chagrin Valley Conference Player of the Year, to just 13 points.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Ertter said. “We wanted to focus on taking her away and making sure she didn't get hot. She is a great athlete and has a lot of potential this season.”
Emily Corlew added five points for Geneva and Emily Harriman contributed with four.
Carolyn Brown led the Rebels with nine rebounds.
South hosts Bedford on Tuesday while Geneva travels to Lakeside on Wednesday.
