Kauble ignites Newark Catholic in girls basketball victory at Licking Valley

HANOVER — Maddie Kauble hit four of her five 3-pointers in the second half Tuesday, vaulting the Newark Catholic girls basketball team to a victory, but the senior's imprint was on the game even before her dead-eye shooting.

Kauble had an early block, a key steal in a game-breaking run and took three charges, spearheading NC's defensive effort in its 48-27 victory at Licking Valley. Her game-high 21 points were icing on the cake in the Licking County League win.

"Doing that for my team is the goal," said Kauble, of her defense, which has been a big part of NC's success since her freshman season just as her shooting has been. "That's what gets me pumped up. That's what makes me feel good."

The game was tied at 23 late in the third quarter when Kauble hit a 3 from the right wing before she converted a layup off a steal. She next sandwiched two more 3s around the quarter break.

All told, NC (2-1, 2-1) had a 16-0 run to finally break free from Valley (1-3, 0-2). Kauble scored 11 of her 21 points in the third quarter.

"(Kauble) caught fire," said NC coach Rob Smith, who leaned on his only senior in the starting lineup. His defending Cardinal Division champions were wounded after falling 44-32 to Johnstown last Friday. "She is the one that's been with me the longest. It's time for her to be a leader."

Kauble's five 3s were half of the 10 NC made on the night. Junior Kylie Gibson and sophomore Sophie Peloquin each hit a pair in the second-half barrage, and junior Reagan Jones hit the 10th after the coaches had emptied the benches.

"I feel like when one person makes whether that's me or anybody else on the team, it just gives the whole team confidence to do their own thing and make their own shots," Kauble said. "It felt good not just for me but for the whole team to get us going."

Valley hit its two 3s for the game at an opportune time as junior Rylee Hillis and senior Emma Cubbison each connected with the latter forcing that 23-23 tie. The Panthers, who graduated almost the entirety of its scoring from last season, however, could not keep up with the Green Wave scoring three at a time.

"The biggest problem is we quit closing out on their shooters, and I think that's because we got tired," Valley coach Duane Wood said. "We're just struggling to score. We don't have a lot of confidence right now, and everybody knows that's what happens when you aren't scoring."

Valley senior post Cassie Orr made an immediate impact at both ends. After two strong defensive plays, she opened the scoring with a post move and then assisted Hills for a short jumper.

A basket for junior Peyton Robey gave Valley an early 6-0 lead, and the Panthers led 8-5 after one quarter. NC turned up its defense and used a run off transition baskets to take a pair of two-point leads in the second quarter before Orr hit sophomore Avery Williams cutting into the paint for a layup to tie the game at 13 at halftime.

"That's the best half of basketball we've probably played all year other than the first game (against Northside Christian) when the competition wasn't there," Wood said. "Cassie played as well as she could play. We just have to get more aggressive."

Orr led Valley with nine points. Hillis added seven for the Panthers as Wood used nine players in his rotation, hoping to create experience in a program playing this season without a reserve team because of low numbers.

"We aren't going to quit," Wood added. "The defense is coming because I really though we would play a lot more zone, but our man is getting there."

Gibson supported Kauble with 12 points for NC. Peloquin and Kaiser added six apiece.

NC had a late start to the preseason with four starters having played on the volleyball team, but it's now been a month since that Nov. 10 state semifinal. With three games under their belt and three more LCL games ahead beginning with Friday's home opener against Northridge, the Green Wave are expected to be on equal footing.

"If we make shots, we're scary," Smith said. "I need to know as a coach I have to quit harping on missing shots. A little bit of it was we got into a rush early, getting down 8-3, and it's a little bit of a domino effect. Going to five out (in the second half) really opened up our 3s."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Maddie Kauble ignites Newark Catholic basketball at Licking Valley