Girls Basketball: Black River's strong start continues with win over Wellington

SULLIVAN TWP. — Surpassing last season's win total two weeks before Christmas is something Black River isn't taking for granted. The drastically improved Pirates were at it again against backyard rival Wellington on a snowy Wednesday night. Morgan Kubitz dominated the first half, spunky Hailee Moskal was everywhere and newcomer Savanna Mullet was a key factor on defense and on the glass in a 42-28 Lorain County League victory that was never really in doubt. Behind improved depth, defense and team chemistry, the Pirates (3-2, 2-1) have won three straight, by 12, 19 and 14 points. That's a major improvement from a year ago, when they only averaged 24.5 points while finishing with a 2-20 record. "It's really fun this year," Kubitz said. "I think as a team we're playing so much better, and everyone is working really together. We're moving the ball around. There's just a certain team chemistry this year that's better than last year." One of the top scorers in Medina County so far this season, Kubitz wiggled into the triple-threat position seemingly whenever she wanted by using superior speed and craftiness. The senior point guard scored 20 of her game-high 28 points as Black River roared to a 26-13 halftime lead, either shooting floaters, getting to the rim or drawing a foul against the interior of a 2-3 defense. The 5-foot-5 volleyball standout was far from the only hero against the Dukes (0-6, 0-3), who dressed only nine players. The 5-3 Moskal added eight points, five rebounds, seven steals and even a block. Forward Lily Fralick was big in the first half with three assists and four steals before dealing with foul trouble. Eliana Rosales scored her first career points. But the X-factor was newcomer Mullet, whose 12 rebounds off the bench were critical considering Wellington center Shelby Gallion hauled in 22 to give her team a 50-35 advantage. "It's really nice (to contribute) because I see all the girls work together," Mullet said. "I think we communicated a lot better, and that's really nice." Wellington was carried largely by the backcourt of Caedyn Wacker and Camryn Stump, as the former had 16 points and seven steals and the latter added five points, seven rebounds and three assists. The Dukes trailed just 12-8 despite committing 17 turnovers in the first quarter, then couldn't buy a bucket in the second as Kubitz's 11 points pushed Black River ahead by double digits. The game was a quagmire — both teams played super hard throughout — with 109 missed field goals, 28 missed 3-pointers, 16 missed free throws, 85 rebounds and 70 turnovers. Black River's defense simply held firm in the second half, as the Dukes lost the final 16 minutes only 16-15 but shot 5-for-32 from the floor to miss an opportunity to cut the deficit to single digits. "We talked a lot," Mullet said. "I think we understand each other and how we play. We just kind of clicked." With plenty of more winnable games on the schedule, the Pirates are certainly not getting ahead of themselves. They're living in the moment, especially with so many returnees who gained valuable experience during last season's trying winter. Fourth-year guard Kubitz, who raised her scoring average to 18.0 points, is leading the way, but she preferred to look at the bigger picture. "Everyone was contributing and everyone was moving," she said. "It definitely wasn't just one person." Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com. Black River 42, Wellington 28 WELLINGTON (28): Katie Stannard 0-0-0, Briella Karkoff 0-1-1, Shelby Gallion 3-0-6, Camryn Stump 1-3-5, Caedyn Wacker 4-5-16, Jaelynn Smith 0-0-0, Kaylah Karkoff 0-0-0, Trinity Barnes 0-0-0, Elise Langenau 0-0-0. Totals 8-9-28. BLACK RIVER (42): Livy Fralick 0-0-0, Abbey Kiser 0-0-0, Anya Koberna 1-0-2, Hailee Moskal 2-4-8, Morgan Kubitz 10-7-28, Heidi Clark 1-0-2, Grace Racut 0-0-0, Eliana Rosales 1-0-2, Savanna Mullet 0-0-0, Leah Coffman 0-0-0, Peyton Kubitz 0-0-0, Rylee Howard 0-0-0, Caroline Maat 0-0-0, Kadence Cassidy 0-0-0. Totals 15-11-42. Wellington&emsp;8&emsp;5&emsp;9&emsp;6&emsp;—&emsp;28 Black River&emsp;12&emsp;14&emsp;12&emsp;4&emsp;—&emsp;42 Three-point goals: Wellington 3-17 (Wacker 3), Black River 1-15 (Kubitz). Field goals: Wellington 8-65 (12.3 percent), Black River 15-67 (22.4 percent). Free throws: Wellington 9-16 (56.3 percent), Black River 11-20 (55.0 percent). Rebounds: Wellington 50 (Gallion 22), Black River 35 (Mullet 12). Turnovers: Wellington 40, Black River 30. Total fouls: Wellington 19, Black River 19. Fouled out: Fralick. Junior varsity: Western Reserve, 46-6.