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Piper Minier often makes a big impact whether scoring or not. Her intensity, defense and leadership have helped South Williamsport capture consecutive Mid-Penn championships and reach last year’s Class AA state quarterfinals.
All those attributes were on display again Friday against visiting Northwest. But Minier showed she can pack quite a scoring punch, too.
Minier broke out for a career-high 16 points, made all but one of eight foul shots and played her usual swarming defense as South rallied from a four-point halftime deficit and defeated Northwest, 46-36. Lacey Kriebel (11 points, 8 rebounds) made a run at a double-double and every player coach Dean Kriebel used made positive contributions as South (8-5, 6-0 Mid-Penn) took control in the second half in this showdown between Mid-Penn division leaders.
“I was ready to play,” Minier said. “I felt good.”
Following each victory, South presents the ‘Hard Hat Award,’ to the player who best personified aggressiveness and determination. While all the Mounties displayed those qualities, Minier was an easy call as the winner.
Minier scored seven early points as South raced out to a 10-1 first quarter lead. Northwest (9-4, 5-1), however, countered and went up by as many as five before settling for a 22-18 halftime lead. Needing a spark, Minier provided it and fanned the flames which soon became an inferno.
Abby Akers found Minier for a layup off a steal as South went up 27-25, a lead it never relinquished. The three-year starting point guard scored nine second-half points and constantly disrupted Northwest’s offense over those last two quarters. She finished with three steals, deflected several passes which led to turnovers and added three assists.
“Piper played an outstanding game. She earned that award tonight,” South coach Dean Kriebel said. “She set the tone, she hit her foul shots and she really did a nice job in all areas for us.”
“At halftime we knew that we weren’t in the right mindset, but we talked it out and we got everyone together,” Minier said. “We just said we have to bring it. We have to have more intensity and desire.”
South turned words into actions and held Northwest scoreless for nearly the first four minutes in the third quarter. The Mounties outscored Northwest, 13-4 that quarter and the Rangers never pulled closer than five in the fourth.
Aleigha Rieppel (8 points) hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1 minute, 51 seconds remaining, putting South ahead, 41-32 and matching its biggest lead at that point. Northwest crept within six in the final minute but Akers and Minier calmly sank four straight free throws while clinching the hard-fought win.
“We weren’t happy with the defensive play as far as matching up in the first half,” Kriebel said. “They picked it up in the second half and we were really pleased to see that.”
South dropped a last-second heartbreaker at Minersville Wednesday when it surrendered seven 3-pointers, including six to its leading scorer. Northwest tried to duplicate that, and leading scorer Charleigh Miner (12 points) drained two in the first half. South, however, learned from previous mistakes, tightened up, moved better and communicated well throughout the second half, limiting Miner to just two more shots.
In a game which was as physical as it was entertaining, South also disrupted Northwest with its pressure and forced 23 turnovers. Lacey Kriebel made a game-high five steals, while Akers added three and Rieppel two. The Mounties also more aggressively attacked the glass with Rieppel pulling down seven rebounds and Minier and Akers four each.
“Whenever we play physical teams, it gets us more hyped up,” Minier said. “It’s like we have to show them that we’re not going to back down.”
They did not. The physicality was high, but so was South’s composure and drive. Together, those assets helped South start asserting itself.
Akers continued to shine in what has been a breakout sophomore campaign. She scored six of her eight points in the fourth quarter and was like a Minier clone defensively. Akers stuck with ball-handlers, rotated well and consistently clogged passing lanes.
Minier and Akers combined defense and offense for some game-changing plays in the third quarter. Both made steals before finding the other for layups in transition as South began imposing its will.
“Abby played well for us,” Dean Kriebel said. “She was really getting after it.”
Freshman Mikaiya Hills shined off the bench and gave South a jolt throughout the second half. She finished with three points, four rebounds and two steals, but stats only tell part of the story as pertains to Hills’ impact. Hills always was active on the boards and if she did not get the rebound herself, she often cleared the way for a teammate to do so.
Hills also helped South cut off the paint and force them into taking more difficult shots. Fellow freshman Ella Moore also provided some quality minutes off the bench, giving South a nice blend of senior experience and exciting potential.
“They are very good for how young they are,” Minier said. “As they get more experience, they’ll be part of some great teams.”
South did not play its best game Friday and missed a lot of shots which could have helped it put the game away sooner. Still, the Mounties found a way to grind out a win against a quality team. Doing so, could be a good sign as the season continues.
“We just have to keep working,” Dean Kriebel said. “We have another home game Wednesday and six straight on the road, so it doesn’t get any easier.”
NORTHWEST (36)
Charleigh Miner 3 3-4 12, Morgan Hermanofski 1 5-7 8, Jordin Bowman 2 0-2 4, Ashlyn Hermanofski 1 3-5 5, Taylor Noss 0 0-2 0, Marissa Valdez 3 0-1 7. Totals 10 11-21 36.
SOUTH (46)
Lacey Kriebel 2 6-9 11, Aleigha Rieppel 3 1-5 8, Piper Minier 4 7-8 16, Abby Akers 3 2-4 8, Sofia Casella 0 0-0 0, Ella Moore 0 0-0 0, Mikaiya Hills 0 3-6 3. Totals 12 19-32 46.
Northwest 6 16 4 10-36
South 10 8 13 15-46
3-pointers: Northwest 5 (Miner 3, M. Hermanofski, Valdez); South 3 (Kriebel, Rieppel, Minier).
Records: South 8-5, 6-0 Mid-Penn. Northwest 9-4, 5-1.