Warren Local (OH)      09   11   09   11   =   40

Parkersburg South        17   15   14   18   =   64

South Scoring:  Kayla Ayers 17, Ali Morris 14, Danielle Floyd 11, Asia Greenleaf 10, Jessica Gilkeson 5, Amber Shreeves 3, Kelsi Halbert 2, Sammy Hicks 2.  

Warren Scoring:  Horner 11, Carroll 10, Brooks 7, Chevalier 7, Alfred 3, Abbott 2.

South Statistics:   Rebounds, 38 (Ayers, Greenleaf 8, Hicks 6);  Assists, 22 (Morris 7);  Steals, 12 (Morris 3);  Turnovers, 18;  Field Goal Shooting, 25-49 (51%);  Free-Throw Shooting, 8-10 (80%).    Record (6-0).

Warren Statistics:   Rebounds, 25;  Turnovers, 16;  Field Goal Shooting, 12-51 (24%);  Free-Throw Shooting, 13-18 (72%).   Record (6-2).

Junior Varsity:  Parkersburg South 57, Warren Local 35

Warren Local (OH)    08   12   12  03   =   35

Parkersburg South      15   14   16  12   =   57

South Scoring:  Mary Seagraves 13, Jessica Moore 12, Hannah Maston 11, Sarah Beha 8, Katelyn Porter 5, Kelsi Halbert 4, Kristiana Hunt 4.

Warren Scoring:  McKenna 8, Lauer 8, Santini 6, Farley 4, Dolak 3, Matthews 3, Abbott 2, Coombs 1.

South girls go to 6-0

By Kerry Patrick, Parkersburg News & Sentinel

The mere presence of Parkersburg South’s Ali Morris on the basketball court is pure torture for the opposition as Warren found out Thursday night at the Rod Oldham Athletic Center.

Morris, who picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter, connected for 12 second-half points and was one of four South players to score in double figures in a 64-40 victory.

The senior also contributed seven assists as the fourth-ranked Patriots improved to 6-0.

“Ali got into a little bit of foul trouble early and we had to play her in spots during the first half,” South coach Scott Stephens said. “She just brings so much quickness and so much intensity that everybody plays better when Ali is on the floor. She just sees the court so well and reads where the pass is going.

“The one foul she had early — she was trying to make a steal. We’ve been working on that trying to understand that you can’t get them all, and she’s getting better at that.”

Warren fell behind by as many as 18 points in the first half, but crept to within 11 at 40-29 by the 1:37 mark of the third quarter. At that juncture, Morris took over and was responsible for every point scored during a 14-0 run. Morris ignited the surge with a dish to Asia Greenleaf then converted on a feed from Kayla Ayers.

On the ensuing possession with South applying heavy full-court pressure, Morris stole a pass in the backcourt and completed the series with a layup. Just for good measure, she blocked a shot just before the third quarter ended with the Patriots leading 46-29.

The momentum carried over into the fourth quarter as Morris knocked down a 3-pointer then handed out a pair of assists to Danielle Floyd —one for two points and another from 3-point range. Floyd finished with 11 points.

Warren did not score in the final period until the 4:23 mark when Lakin Horner sank two free throws. The Warriors’ first made field goal did not occur until the 3:08 mark when Jill Carroll scored two of her 10 points. Horner led the team with 11 points. For the game, Warren was accurate on just 22 percent (12-of-54) from the field.

“Warren did not shoot the ball well and I have to give our kids credit for that,” Stephens said.

Warren ran into a buzzsaw in the first quarter as South connected on its first eight shots from the field and built a 17-5 lead with 1:28 still showing in the first quarter. During that span, Ayers scored six of her game-high 17 points, while Greenleaf pitched in four of her 10 points.

“The girls are playing like a team,” Stephens said.

“We’ve got good team chemistry and we hope we can keep that.”

South will not play again until Friday, Dec. 28. The top four ranked teams in Class AAA will be featured at the South Holiday Tournament, including No. 1 Morgantown, No. 2 Huntington and No. 3 Woodrow Wilson.

“We’ve got two tough games coming up, so it should be a fun couple days of basketball and I really hope the fans will pack the place to support our girls,” Stephens said.