Photo by Richard L. Gaw                    Behind effective shooting and a tight defense, Perkiomen Valley cruised to a 56-28 non-conference win over Kennett on Jan. 14.

By Richard L. Gaw, Staff Writer

It is often said that even in the broadest of mismatched opponents, there is still a game that needs to be played, because on any given day, anything can happen.

So at noon this past Saturday, the 3-4 Kennett women’s basketball team tipped off against 12-1 Perkiomen Valley in a non-league tilt at Reynolds Gymnasium in Kennett Square, with the possible chance to upset the visiting Vikings, who were coming off their only defeat of the season the night before, a 56-44 loss to Spring-Ford.

Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, it wasn’t the day when anything would happen.

Behind a 14-point, first-half effort by Quinn Boettinger and a shut-down defense, Perkiomen Valley cruised to a 56-28 victory, in a game that saw the Vikings burst out with 18 points in the first quarter while holding the Blue Demons to just 4 points.

Combining a tough man-to-man defense with sharp perimeter passing and accurate shooting, Perkiomen Valley quickly proved why they are a powerhouse in the Pioneer League this season. Two early three-pointers by Bella Bacani and Julia Smith staked the Vikings to an early 6-0 lead that was quickly followed by a layup by Boettinger.

The Blue Demons did not get on the scoreboard until Makayala Kelly’s two free-throws with 5:32 left in the quarter, and began the second quarter down 18-4.

Boettinger, who was entering the game with a 14.9 points-per-game average, unleashed a 9-point effort in the second quarter that was complimented by three-pointers by Smith and Ella Stein en route to a 22-point quarter and a 40-13 halftime lead.

Despite the loss, a positive light shone on Kelly, who continued to battle her way through a virtually impenetrable Viking defense to score 23 of her team’s 28 points on layups, free throws and four three-pointers to lead all scorers. Boettinger, who was rested in the second half, led Perkiomen Valley with 14 points, followed by Lena Stein with 9 points.

Now 13-1 overall, Perkiomen Valley faced Methacton on Jan. 17 and will travel to Pottstown in Jan. 19. The Blue Demons, who fell to 3-5 overall, looked to get back on rack with a Jan. 17 home game against Great Valley on Jan. 19, and will travel to Oxford for a game against the Hornets on Jan. 19.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].