Falcons soar past Indians, 60-28

The Berkeley Springs girls basketball team headed to Baker, WV, on Saturday, February 10, to face sectional rival Frankfort in the Potomac Valley Conference Night of Champions. It was an opportunity to make a statement against their sectional nemesis, with the sectional championship right around the corner. Unfortunately, a statement was made, but it was Frankfort which made the statement, burying the cold shooting Indians 60-28.

"This was our worst game of the year," said Berkeley Springs coach Dale McCumbee. I am disappointed and nearly speechless. You're not going to beat too many teams when you only shoot 12% from the floor."

It didn't take Frankfort long to take control of the game, out scoring the Tribe 17-6 in the opening quarter. They then doubled up the Indians 14-7 in the second stanza, to take a commanding 31-13 half-time lead.

The third quarter was more of the same. Berkeley Springs struggled from the field, scoring only 7 points, while the Falcons had their highest scoring quarter of the game (18 points) to increase the lead to 49-20, before cruising to the easy win.

"Frankfort's man-to-man defense really gave us trouble," said a disappointed McCumbee. They played by far and away the most physical man-to-man defense we've faced this year. The good news is that we have a couple of weeks to work things out. Two years ago they beat us by about 40 points during the regular season and we beat them in the sectional. So we aren't giving up. We have time to work on some things and I'm sure we will play better. I can tell you, with some confidence, that they are not 32 points better than us."

Alex Tamez and Ashley Hovermale lead Berkeley Springs with 6 points apiece, Amber Booher and Rebecca Trump added 4 each, Shauni Stevens scored 2, while Kelsey McCoy and Sarah Risinger rounded out the scoring with 1 point each.

Julie Cessna led Frankfort with 14 points.

The loss evened Berkeley Springs record at 11-11.

Potomac Valley Conference awards were announced and Alex Tamez was named to the All-PVC team. She was the only underclassmen so honored on the 7-member team. The conference also recognized senior scholar athletes. Both Ashley Hovermale and Sarah Risinger were so honored, as were Matt Lyda and Kelsey Swaim who are part of the Berkeley Springs girls basketball team support staff.

Berkeley Springs will face Jefferson County at Shenadoah Junction tonight, February 14, before facing Frankfort for the sectional title on Thursday, Februray 22, at Hampshire County.