DEIRDRE A LEXANDER Contributing Writer
The Kitty Kats opened district play in commanding fashion Tuesday, Dec. 16, rolling past the Woodsboro Lady Eagles at home with a decisive 62–24 victory.
Paige DeLeon jumpstarted the scoring with a rebound and put-back to give the Kitty Kats an early 2– 0 lead. Trinity Flores followed with a block while DeLeon added a steal, setting the defensive tone early. Flores then grabbed another rebound and assisted Gracie Stehling for a low-post basket, extending the lead to 4–0.
Yorktown’s fullcourt press quickly took control of the game. Flores recorded back-to-back steals that turned into layups, pushing the lead to 8–0. Stehling and Flores continued to dominate the boards, with Stehling scoring on a put-back to put the Kitty Kats at double digits, 10– 0. Flores added another steal and found Palyn Koopmann for a layup, and Koopmann followed with a steal and fast-break finish of her own to make it 14–0.
The Lady Eagles scored their first points at the 3:35 mark with two free throws, but the Kitty Kats never slowed. Claire Person scored underneath the basket, assisted Stehling on another score, and added a rebound and put-back. Koopmann drilled a threepointer off a Flores assist, and then went coast-to-coast for a layup as the first quarter ended with Yorktown firmly in control, 25–2.
In the second quarter, Delaney Royal, Lilly Taylor, Stehling, and Flores all contributed defensively with rebounds and steals. Koopmann assisted Flores for a score, and Person added a steal and assist to Koopmann for another layup. The Lady Eagles managed a late threepointer, but the Kitty Kats still carried a commanding 35–6 lead into halftime.
Yorktown continued its strong play in the second half, outscoring Woodsboro 12–10 in the third quarter to bring the score to 47–16. The Kitty Kats closed the game with steady scoring and defensive pressure, sealing a 62–24 win in their district opener.
Scoring Leaders: Koopmann – 18 points, Stehling – 12 points, Flores – 11 points, Lyla Tovar – 8 points, Person – 6 points, DeLeon – 4 points, Cayleigh Good – 3 points
