Girls Basketball: Heritage Has Milestone Night in Win Over Loudoun Valley

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist
Leesburg (Jan. 8, 2011) - History was broken Friday night at Heritage High School, as the Prides's girls varsity basketball team beat Loudoun Valley for the first time since the school opened in 2002.

With the 58-41 victory, the Heritage girls improved to 7-5 (1-1 in the Cedar Run). Not only was the win the first time the Pride had beaten the Vikings, but Heritage climbed over the 6-win mark for the first time since the 2005-06 season when the Pride were 13-11.

The Pride came out a little bit shaky early on in the game, but settled down after the first couple minutes. Valley on the other hand never really got comfortable in the entire first half, and Heritage went into the second quarter up 10-7. Valley (4-9 overall) had been 2-0 in district coming into the contest.

Probably the best quarter for Heritage ever, the Pride dominated the Vikings in every offensive and defensive category (Heritage second quarter totals: 11 steals, 11 of 19 from the field, 5 assists, 7 rebounds, 6 deflections, 2 for 2 from the foul line). Meanwhile, Valley took a mere four shots in the entire quarter as Heritage ran out to huge 34-11 halftime lead.

Continuing to play solid, pressure defense and fundamental offense the Pride went into the final quarter up 27.

Valley overcame a 21-4 deficit earlier this week against Cedar Run opponent Battlefield, and the fourth quarter, like in Tuesday night’s game, was Valley’s high point. Viking senior Kelsey Luck hit three shots from distance, but the Vikings never got within 15 points, as Heritage got the victory 58-41.

The Pride were led offensively by freshman guard Kayla Tibbs (20 points, 5 rebounds, 10 of 16 from the field), junior guard Kayla Whoolery (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 of 2 from the line), sophomore forward Kelsey Tidgewell (8 points, 4 of 5 from the field), and senior forward Myah Robinson (8 points, 4 of 7 from the field).

Defensive leaders for the Pride once again included Tibbs (4 steals), Whoolery (4 steals), and Tidgewell (2 blocks, 3 deflections).

Heritage Stats:
Caitlin Fischer – 1 assist, 1 steal
Erika Grabbi – 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 deflection, 1 block, 1 assist
Sydney McDonald – 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals, 2 deflections, 5 assists
Laura Nibbelink – 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 deflections, 3 assists
Debbie Reilley – 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 deflections, 1 assist
Myah Robinson – 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
Kayla Tibbs – 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 deflection, 2 assist
Kelsey Tidgewell – 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 3 deflections, 2 blocks, 1 assist
Kayla Whoolery – 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 deflection, 1 assist
Team Totals – 58 points, 30 rebounds, 25 steals, 16 deflections, 3 blocks, 45% from the field, 15 assists


Valley Scoring –
Jill Hurtt – 5 points
Kelsey Luck – 17 points
Payton Boyer – 2 points
Katie Stevenson – 2 points
Caitlin Gore – 2 points
Lauren Jane – 4 points
Jerica Mingo – 6 points
Carmen Delvecchio – 3 points