Crestwood’s Norah Sklarosky (25) celebrates with Kiera Dougherty (33) after Dougherty hit a 3-pointer during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Isla Centak (30) shoots a layup during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s (22) takes a 3-pointer during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Kiera Dougherty (33) handles the ball during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Kiera Dougherty (33) shoots during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Nanticoke Area’s Haley Verazin (42) drives to the basket during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Nanticoke Area’s Nevaeh Baran (25) takes a 3-pointer during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Nanticoke Area’s Nevaeh Baran (25) takes a shot during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Nanticoke Area’s Nevaeh Baran (25) drives to the basket during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Nanticoke Area’s Kate Reed (14) drives to the basket during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Crestwood’s Norah Sklarosky (25) celebrates with Kiera Dougherty (33) after Dougherty hit a 3-pointer during a Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament game Wednesday at Holy Redeemer. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
WILKES-BARRE — When the offense isn’t clicking, Crestwood can always rely on the fallback plan. Play solid defense, run their offensive sets and eventually see that good things will happen.
That was certainly the case for the Comets on Wednesday night in the opening round of the Wyoming Valley Conference girls basketball tournament.
Crestwood was slow out of the gate on offense, but the defense was strong enough and held things down until the offense caught up in a 48-18 victory over Nanticoke Area at Holy Redeemer High School.
The Comets (21-2) will advance to Saturday afternoon’s championship game when they will play Hazleton Area at 3 at Hazleton Area for the overall WVC title. Nanticoke Area (17-6) will wait to see what seed it will have when the District 2 Class 4A tournament gets underway next week.
“We didn’t come out strong in the beginning,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock Namey said. “Our offense was stagnant and we weren’t moving the ball. We weren’t getting smart shots. Our defense carried us in the first half. In the second half, we actually kicked it in a little more on offense.”
Wednesday night was the fourth time this season Crestwood held an opponent under 20 points. The Comets earned the No. 2 seed out of Division 1, while Nanticoke Area came into the game as the top seed out of Division 2.
Crestwood led, 10-4, at the end of the first quarter and, 23-11, at the half. Crestwood shot 9 of 26 from the floor in the first half, including 1 of 5 from beyond the 3-point line. Nanticoke Area was 3 of 21 and 1 of 9.
The Trojanettes struggled with Crestwood’s length and were limited in the number of second-chance opportunities they received off of missed shots. Crestwood opened the second half on a 9-0 run and closed it by outscoring Nanticoke Area, 12-1, over the final 2:38 to take control.
Crestwood guard Keira Dougherty provided the offensive spark the Comets needed with four 3-pointers in the third quarter. She finished with 19 points, and Jackie Gallagher added 10.
“I think I heated up,” Dougherty said. “Coach gave us a really good pep talk in the locker room at halftime. We knew we had to come out and show everyone what we can do. We all knew it could have been a better first half.”
Crestwood held Nanticoke Area to seven points in the second half and two made shots from the floor.
“Our defense is our go-to,” Mushock Namey said. “I always say that defense is what wins you championships and that is what we are going for now.”
Saturday will be the third meeting between the two teams. They split the two regular-season matchups, with each team winning on the road. Crestwood defeated Hazleton Area, 63-51, on Feb. 1.
Kate Reed led Nanticoke Area with six points and Natalee Atkins had four.