The Tyrone junior high girls basketball team defeated Indian Valley on Thursday afternoon to improve their record to 2-4.
Tied 44-44, with nine seconds remaining in the game, Elizabeth Tepsic stepped up to the foul line with the game on the line and calmly sunk two free throws to secure the win.
Stefani Bryan fronted the Lady Eagles with a game-high 22 points and added nine rebounds and four steals. Brook Garbinsky and Kayla Corle each added six points.
Tepsic, in foul trouble most of the game, came off the bench cold in the last minute of the game to give Tyrone the win.
In Tepsic’s absence, eighth grader, Lindsay Christine stepped up and pulled down 11 rebounds.
“Lindsay’s performance when she filled in off the bench for Liz was huge for us,” commented Tyrone coach Kerry Naylor. “We have been playing Indian Valley in the same kind of games every year and they have always pulled out the close win. Our winning today was big for the program. The girls saw what it takes. Now we have to keep doing it. When Stefani has the kind of gane she had and every body else plays their role, even if it’s just to rest the starters for a few minutes like they did last night, we can be a solid team and get the big wins, instead of allowing the other team to slip away with the victory.”
In the seventh and eighth grade game, Tyrone improved to 4-2 with a 21-8 win over Indian Valley.
Lindsay Christine scored 13 points and pulled down nine boards to lead the Lady Eagles and Kassie Faratta had six steals.
“To hold Indian Valley to eight points in any game is important,” said Naylor. “Crystal Waite, who is just a seventh grader is beginning to work herself into playing time. From the beginning of the summer until now, she has worked hard on her defense and is earning more time with her hard work.”
The Tyrone junior high girls host Penns Valley on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
