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By VAN ROSE [email protected]
Friday, January 14, 2005     Page: 3B

NANTICOKE – Aly Byorick and Sarah Acker combined for 28 points during
limited playing time, but it was their defensive play that stood out the most
in Greater Nanticoke Area’s 74-33 romp over outmanned Meyers on Thursday
night.
   
The 5-foot-11 Byorick and 6-3 Acker repeatedly blocked shots just about
every time the Mohawks tried to take the ball to the basket, enabling the
Trojanettes to dominate the game on both sides of the court.
    Offensively, Byorick and Acker used their size and athleticism to score at
will in the paint as Nanticoke cruised to a 39-6 halftime lead.
   
Acker had 13 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and 11 blocked shots.
Nanticoke also got a big effort from Jessica Kosloski, who had nine points –
all on three-point baskets. She also dished out 16 assists.
   
The Trojanettes were coming off a big victory against Bishop O’Reilly on
Tuesday, but showed no signs of a letdown.
   
“We’re a very good team,” said Byorick, a sophomore who scored a
game-high 15 points. “We’ve come a long way from the beginning of the season.
We’ve improved our defense, picked up our rebounding and we’re doing a good
job of boxing out.”
   
Nanticoke (5-0 Div. II, 13-2 overall) continues to get better with every
game, according to Byorick. She said the pieces are in place for a deep run in
the state tournament. “We just have to learn to be patient and help each
other, both on offense and defense. We’re playing with confidence.”
   
Meyers coach Curt Lloyd was impressed by Acker’s performance.
   
“For her size, she’s one of the most agile and athletic players I’ve seen
in my six years of coaching,” Lloyd said. “What makes her special is that
she doesn’t know how good she is.
   
Nanticoke coach Jack Rentko played his reserves throughout most of the
second half. He got excellent performances from Lauren Dembowski and Leigh Ann
Rentko, two players who normally see little action.
   
Rentko tallied 11 points, including three three-point field goals.
Dembowski added 10 points.
   
Meyers (1-4, 7-6) was led by senior forward Lauren Jimison, who scored 10
points. Amber Giampietro added eight points and Nicole Neff had seven points.
   
Prior to the varsity, Nanticoke freshman Amanda Coughlin was injured in the
junior varsity game and was flown to Community Medical Center in Scranton.
   
Rentko said X-rays were negative and Coughlin was scheduled to be released.