DES MOINES — Strong defense and solid rebounding sparked the Perry girls to a 56-22 win over Des Moines Hoover in their season openers Friday.
“Our defense, from Monday (a jamboree) to tonight, was like black and white,” first year head coach Claire Marburger said. “We looked like we knew what we were doing tonight. We had people helping out and getting in the passing lanes and deflecting balls, which leads to turnovers.”
Perry jumped out to a 14-5 lead after one quarter and widened their margin to 30-16 at the intermission. An 18-2 scoring edge in the third period ended any doubts and created a 48-18 Perry lead en route to the victory.
Hoover simply had no answer for Jayette junior Lydia Olejniczak, who went off for 28 points. She was 12-of-16 at the free throw line, part of an 18-of-27 effort by the team as a whole that drew praise from their coach.
“If we can shoot like that, and get that many (free throws) we are going to be in good shape,” Marburger said.
Callie Steva had 10 points, Jayna Kenney nine and Maci Tunink four for Perry, with Kathryn West adding three points and Sam Robles two.
Perry aided their own cause with a well-rounded effort under the glass. Olejniczak and Kenney had eight rebounds apiece, with Steva and West each grabbing seven boards.
The hosts made only seven trips to the foul line, making four.
Taysia Young led the Huskies with eight points, with Alayna Jarrett adding seven points.
Perry hosts Fort Dodge St. Edmond Tuesday. They will then return to action Nov. 30 with a trip to Boone, with a visit to South Hamilton on tap for Dec. 3.
