Valley Sports ReportJERSEY SHORE — Athens got off to a slow start, and never recovered in a 64-35 loss to Jersey Shore here Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the District 4, Class 4A girls basketball playoffs.
"We had a tough time getting going, and (Jersey Shore) was able to hit some three to get going early," said Athens coach Kelly Burkhart Allen.
"We gave up too many shots on the defensive end, and didn’t attack the basket enough," she added.
Jersey Shore jumped out to a 13-5 lead after the opening eight minutes. Sophomore McKenna Jarvis knocked down a 3-pointer and scored all five of Athens' points in the opening stanza.
The Bulldogs outscored Athens, 15-10, in the second quarter to take a 28-15 lead at the halftime break. Senior Addy Wheeler had four points, and freshman Allie Kemp canned a 3-pointer in the second quarter.
Jersey Shore blew the game open with a 26-10 third-quarter blitz to extend its lead to 54-25 heading into the final eight minutes.
Jarvis led Athens with 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, while Wheeler had 12 points and five boards, Kemp chipped in with four points, freshman Alissa Vough grabbed three rebounds, and senior Sara Bronson chipped in with two rebounds and two assists.
Athens finishes the season with a 15-8 record.
The Wildcats will lose four seniors to graduation, including four-year starter Addy Wheeler, and four-year varsity performer Sara Bronson, as well as Sophia Fairchild and Olivia Lane.
"Overall, the seniors had great careers," said Burkhart Allen. "They chipped and did whatever was asked of them.
"Addy and Sara have dedicated four years, and did whatever I asked of them," noted Burkhart Allen. "Nobody works harder and has more dedication and commitment than they do.
"They’re leaving the program heading in the right direction," she added.
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IN PHOTO: Athens sophomore McKenna Jarvis. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.
