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Housy girls basketball returns

FALLS VILLAGE — Varsity girls basketball tipped off last week as Housatonic Valley Regional High School hosted two home games to get the season started.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Mountaineers faced the Shepaug Valley Spartans from Washington. The midweek match-up was won by the Spartans 46-30.

The girls took to the court again on Saturday, Dec. 17, against the Northwestern Regional High School Highlanders in a game postponed from Thursday, Dec. 15.

The size and experience of Northwestern led them to a decisive 58-29 victory over HVRHS.

The young Mountaineers team, which started one junior and four sophomores, looked to find their rhythm on the court. After a two-point first quarter, Coach Steve Dodge honed in on the importance of fundamentals.

“Offensively, the points will come. We need to get stops first,” said Dodge. “Secure the ball. They are getting way too many offensive rebounds.”

The team heeded the call as they put up 11points in the second quarter and slowed down the Northwestern offense, making the Highlanders earn their points on the foul line.

In the second half the Mountaineers started to find their stride, moving the ball well and communicating on the court. But by this point the lead was too much to overcome.

The top three scorers for HVRHS were all sophomores; Tessa Dekker with 10 points, Kylie Leonard with 7, and Mia Dodge with 6.

Northwestern’s lead scorer was also a sophomore; Madelyn Topa, who put up 25-points.

In white, Mountaineers  sophomore  Mia Dodge weaved around traffic in the Saturday, Dec. 17, game against Northwestern. In red, Highlanders star sophomore Madelyn Topa scored a game-high 25 points. Photo by Savage Frieze

HVRHS sophomore Khyra McClennon drives the lane as the girls varsity basketball team got the 2022-23 season started against Northwestern. Photo by Savage Frieze

In white, Mountaineers  sophomore  Mia Dodge weaved around traffic in the Saturday, Dec. 17, game against Northwestern. In red, Highlanders star sophomore Madelyn Topa scored a game-high 25 points. Photo by Savage Frieze
Riley Klein

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