MADISON — Katherine Johnson and her Madison County girl’s basketball team had been waiting patiently for their first victory of the year. On Saturday evening, behind a balanced offensive attack and a pressuring defense, the Mountaineers were able to grab hold of that elusive first win at home, knocking off Monticello, 51-31.
“We’ve been working really hard,” Johnson said. “We’ve been close in a lot of games but just haven’t put together four full quarters. Tonight we got that.”
In previous games for Madison, the burden of creating offense fell squarely on Jordan Aylor, and while she led all scorers with 12 points, the junior guard received plenty of help from her teammates as three other Mountaineers scored at least nine points.
“Our post players really helped us out,” Aylor said. “That’s not something that we’ve had before and so that made a big difference for us. And then, our guards, almost each one wound up with around 10 points.”
Kaitlyn Ford and Rachel Strahan joined Aylor in double figures with 10 points a piece. Junior Cierra Wise finished with nine.
Madison outscored Monticello in all four quarters, but it was their efforts during a stretch from the middle of the first quarter deep into the second quarter that ultimately paved the way for victory. The Mountaineers jumped in front of the Mustangs by as many as 19 points before heading into half time up by 16.
Monticello struggled to shoot in the first half, making just two field goals in the game’s first 16 minutes. However, as Madison played aggressive defense, the Mustangs had plenty of opportunities to create offense at the free throw line.
In the second half, the Mountaineers found themselves in significant foul trouble. By the middle of the third quarter four of its starting five had accumulated at least three fouls, including Aylor. Madison was forced to go deep into it’s bench, but still was able to maintain it’s double digit lead. Even with four starters on the bench, the Mountaineers never let Monticello get closer than 14 points of the lead.
“I was really happy with all the players that came off the bench for us,” Johnson said. “It’s a situation where our players actually got a lot rest and that’s going to be good going forward.”
Eryn Rothenberg was the top scorer for the Mustangs with her seven points. Both Carla Brooks and Lisa Marshall scored five points.
Monticello coach Mike Mountjoy was unavailable for comment after the game.
The Mustangs (5-3) will travel to Orange County on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Madison (1-6) will host Manassas Park on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
