PDT Sports Report

New Boston opened the 2007-08 basketball season with a statement-making, 60-23 win over Ironton St. Joe on Tuesday. That statement was an emphatic, “We're back!” The Lady Tigers, who return all but one player from last year's SOC I championship squad, opened their season with a balanced game.

Kayla Wiley scored 23 points with nine rebounds, six steals and three assists in the win. Missy Buckley scored 11 points with six rebounds, Tasha Buckley added 10 points and four steals and Katie Williams had two points and eight rebounds in the 37-point blowout of the Lady Flyers.

“Coming out the first game of the season, the girls came out a little bit nervous...,” New Boston coach Jon Estep said. “It's always nice to get your first win at home.”

New Boston will try to build off their season-opening victory on Saturday when it travels to Paint Valley for the Paint Valley Shootout. The Lady Tigers play Southeastern at the shootout at 6:45 p.m.

St. Joe 0 6 7 10 - 23

New Boston 15 17 13 15 - 60

St. Joe - Blair 3 2 8, Hess 0 3 3, Schwab 0 1 1, mich Stanton 3 3 9, Hacker 1 0 2. Totals 14 4 23.

New Boston - Williams 2 0 4, Buckley 4 1 10, M. Buckley 5 0 11, Hamilton 3 0 6, Euton 1 0 2, Horsley 0 2 2, Raines 1 0 2, Wiley 10 3 23. Totals 26 6 60.

3-pointers - St. Joe 0; New Boston 2 (T. Buckley, M. Buckley)

Record - New Boston 1-0

Piketon 53, Zane Trace 50

A lot of coaches will preach that rebounding is key to winning. That rang true in Piketon on Tuesday when the Lady Streaks' Andrea Beekman pulled down a rebound to prevent Zane Trace from getting another chance to win with three seconds remaining. Beekman had eight points and eight rebounds.

Heather Burns led Piketon with 19 points and four steals in the close contest.

The Lady Streaks trailed by five heading into the final quarter of play.

“The girls played hard and came out in the fourth quarter wanting to win the game,” Piketon coach Libby Crothers said.

Piketon's next game is at 3:15 Saturday at Paint Valley against Notre Dame.

Zane Trace 9 12 17 12 - 50

Piketon 11 8 14 20 - 53

Zane Trace - Sierra Sigman 8 1 17, Tatman 5 3 13, Boblitt 4 2 10, Prickett 3 0 6, Roepke 1 0 2, Jane 1 0 2.

Piketon - Burns 4 8 19, Evans 5 1 11, Manley 2 0 4, Cade 2 0 4, Flowers 2 0 4, Hill 1 0 3, Beekman 3 2 8. Totals 19 11 53.

3- pointers - Zane Trace 0; Piketon 4 (Burns 3, Hill)

Record - Zane Trace 0-2; Piketon 1-0