Berner's 21 points powers Leyton past the Coyotes

Kaitlyn Berner gave an indication of what was to come just a few seconds after tip off.

The Leyton junior peeled into an open space beyond the arc, measured her shot and drained a three. They were the first of a 21 point torrent from Berner, leading the Warriors to a 45-35 win at Potter-Dix on Friday night.

Before the first quarter expired, Berner lit the scoreboard with 5 more points-a coast to coast layup after picking the Coyotes' pocket and another three, with an assist from Shaela Jenkins.

"I was a little surprised," Berner said of her performance. "I didn't know what was happening. That was a lucky night."

Perhaps-or maybe the outburst was aided by a tactical shift Leyton coach Nick Newkirk implemented in the previous game. He moved Kelsey Waite from the back line to point guard, sending Katy Ernest to the post.

"We're scoring points off that," he said.

The Warriors, who had been plagued by slow starts, jumped out to an 11-8 lead after the first period, and the gap might have been greater except for the Coyotes' sharpshooting Taylor Juelfs.

Potter-Dix's most prolific scorer took advantage of a steal by Alexus Rozelle and popped in a three from NBA distance just before the quarter came to an end. She ended up with 18 points on the night, hitting a trio from three-point range.

But Berner was quick to respond. She opened the second quarter by stealing the ball and racing for an easy layup. Moments later she repeated the feat.

The Coyotes fought right back. Down 15-8 as a result of Berner's personal 4-0 run, Juelfs answered with another three. Rozelle followed with a strong put back, shaving the margin back to a couple of points.

"I knew I had to make my post move," Rozelle reported.

Leyton went back to work, however. Natalie Cruise sank two from the line, Kelsey Waite hit from three point land and Jenkins tacked on another free throw. The Warriors went into the halftime break on top 21-13.

"We had to stop them, but they were just hitting," Juelfs said. "It was one of the hardest games we've played so far."

The Potter-Dix defense did clamp down in the third, holding the visitors to just 8 points-another trey by Waite, free throws from Ernest and Cruise, as well as a fast break score by the irrepressible Berner.

Meanwhile the Coyotes' offense put together a promising run. Juelfs started it, converting on a fast break. Dawson Sharman backed her up by hitting an open jumper. Rozelle followed after a few minutes of sloppy play on both sides, making another power move from the low post to the rim.

"They were pretty aggressive," Leyton's Cruise said of the home side. "They're a strong team."

Indeed, Rozelle dominated under the glass, hauling down 17 rebounds to go with her 12 points-a hard earned double-double. And the hosts worked with equal effort on the offensive side. With a minute to play in the third, Juelfs tacked on her third trey of the night.

"That was a challenge," Berner said of the task she faced covering the Potter-Dix senior. "She knows how to get open."

Potter-Dix closed to within striking distance, 29-24. But the Warriors proved to be relentless on this Friday night, responding with an 8-0 run-half of those points put up by Cruise, on a jumper and a coast to coast run after picking off a Coyotes' pass.

"I was just reading their eyes," Cruise said of the steal and layup. "I thought about passing, but I decided to take it up myself."

Although Potter-Dix tried to keep pace, scoring 13 points in the final period, the Warriors missed few opportunities over the last eight minutes of play.

"I can tell you that's the best shooting we've faced all year," Coyotes' coach Jeff Einspahr pointed out. "They were on."

Coyotes down Hay Springs

Potter-Dix turned back the Hawks 48-32 in a non-district game on Saturday after their defense allowed just 7 first-half points. The road win evened the girls record to 5-5 on the season.

Taylor Juelfs proved difficult to defend, as her 23 points led the Coyotes to victory. Dawson Sharman and Morgan Wolff added 6 points apiece to the scoreboard. Sharman's 3 assists led Potter-Dix while Juelfs and Wolf each added a pair.

The Freshmen duo of Sharman and Alexus Rozelle were tops on the boards with 8 rebounds each.

The Potter-Dix girls are seeded third in the MAC Tournament and will host #6 Banner County on Tuesday at 7 p.m. A win will earn them a second round game at Sidney Middle School at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Girls Basketball

Leyton 45

Potter-Dix 35