Boyertown girls pull away from Phantoms

PHOENIXVILLE - For powerful Boyertown, it was a night for coach Jason Bieber to use his full bench and give everyone ample playing time as well as the starters rest in anticipation for today’s big girls basketball showdown against Parkland.

For shorthanded Phoenixville, it proved to be another tough test and challenge with scrappy, aggressive play that the Phantoms hope will benefit them in the long run down the road.

Boyertown posted a 65-38 Pioneer Athletic Conference inter-divisional victory over Phoenixville last Friday night.

“We played well when we had to,” said Bieber. “I subbed in and out a lot. We have a big game tomorrow. We played well.

“Phoenixville crashes the boards, and (Aubree) Flagg had a big game. They are always well-coached. Michele (Dunleavy) does a good job. We did what we needed to.”

Flagg had a brilliant game for the Phantoms as the senior forward scored a game-high 23 points that also matched her career-high set last season. Flagg, who scored 17 second-half points, also had nine rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot.

Boyertown (8-1, 14-2) built a 19-11 lead after one period and jumped out to a 36-17 halftime advantage. The Bears were up 49-33 entering the fourth quarter against the Phantoms (2-7, 4-11).

Kaitlyn Eisenhard paced the Bears with 16 points, including eight in the opening quarter and 11 by intermission. Point guard Dee Terry had 12 points with nine in the first half and two treys, and Olivia Cavallo also finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Kaitlin DeHaven grabbed five rebounds.

Freshman Maria Garofolo totaled eight points, nine boards and five steals. Boyertown shot 24-for-49 from the floor and 14-for-26 at the foul line while using a cast of 14 players.

Jada Boyce turned in 10 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two blocks for Phoenixville depite personal foul difficulty. She eventually fouled out with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter. Gabby Duda chipped in with four points, two blocks and a steal. Annie Rubino had three assists and a block from her guard spot.

Phoenixville shot 12-for-32 from the floor and 14-for-24 at the foul line. The Phantoms held a 30-29 edge in rebounds.

“Our defense was a little shaky at times,” said Terry. “They (Phantoms) got a lot of offensive rebounds. We left them have 11 points in the first quarter. He rested us up a little bit. We play Parkland tomorrow and we have to come ready to play.”

Terry has the option of feeding the ball inside to Boyertown’s big girls or to take it to the rim herself. She also has the ability to hit the open outside shot.

“Whatever is there, I read the defense and do the best,” said Terry. “My shot has been coming along this year. Last year it wasn’t on. I have been working on it a lot.”

Flagg discussed the Phantoms’ performance.

“We played hard and we tried very hard to play defense,” said Flagg. “We did a good job defensively even though they scored a lot of points. That was the best defense we have played in a while. We really only have six people to play.”

Flagg said she and Boyce push each other in practice and in games while battling the players in the opposing frontcourt.

“We’re constantly pushing each other and helping out each other,” said Flagg. “On the floor we are all helping each other to stay consistent. Jada and I are trying very hard to connect since we are the most big assets on the team. We push each other and encourage each other all the time. We get defensive position to get the boards.”