Sandusky rides strong defense to beat Perkins

SANDUSKY — Sandusky swarmed Perkins early to build a huge lead and went on to post an 80-63 girls basketball win Friday. The Blue Streaks snapped a three-game losing streak in a satisfying win against their crosstown rivals in front of a nice crowd at the Big House. Sandusky improved to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the SBC Lake Division. "Our seniors go hard in practice and they want to win," Sandusky assistant coach Ta'Sharra Jeffries said. "They showed that today. We had a good crowd; they did it for the city. I told everyone to come out for us." Sandusky jumped out to a 13-0 lead when Mae Rameau scored off a turnover with 4:15 to play in the first quarter. The Streaks forced nine Perkins turnovers in the decisive first period. A 16-0 run gave the Blue Streaks their largest lead at 28-5 on a Ra'Kiya Collier free throw a minute into the second quarter. Perkins, which dropped to 1-4, 0-1, committed 29 turnovers in the game and forced 25 by Sandusky. "Our No. 1 priority is defense," Jeffries said. "Defense wins game and defense turns it into offense. If we play defense we've got anybody." The game featured a bunch of big numbers, including 52 total fouls and 67 attempted free throws. The teams combined for 51 points and 35 free throw attempts in the third quarter. Sandusky led 40-23 at halftime when Denasia Coy scored with 20 seconds on the clock. Perkins chipped away in the third quarter, making 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the period. Pirates senior Camryn VanVlerah led all scorers with 25 points and was 13 for 16 from the foul line. She was 9 for 10 in the third quarter. VanVlerah's basket with 1:38 left in the third got Perkins to within 56-50. Sandusky answered with an 11-0 run that was topped off by a steal and bucket by Collier to give the Streaks a 69-52 lead with 6:32 to play. Khiya Rameau led Sandusky with 22 points. Her sister, Mae Rameau, added 17 before fouling out. Collier finished with 19 points and a bunch of stingy defense. Coy added 12 points, seven coming in the first quarter as the Streaks got to the first break with a commanding 26-5 lead. Six Sandusky players scored in the first quarter to set the tone. "We wanted to end our losing streak," Jeffries said. "They did good today. "As long as we play hard and together, I think we can be one of the best." Sandusky will get a big measuring stick in the Lake Division on Monday when it hosts undefeated Bellevue. The Streaks visit Clyde next Thursday. Perkins is off until next Thursday when it hosts Bellevue in its last Lake game of the calendar year. PERKINS (1-4, 0-1) Allie Brunner 0 0-2 0, Jordyn Brunner 2 3-4 8, Haylie Brunner 2 3-4 8, Mallorie Jones 2 0-2 4, Camryn VanVlerah 6 13-16 25, Avery Baker 3 0-0 6, Zakiyah Castle 2 3-4 7, Elizabeth Green 1 0-0 2, Jalee Lipsey 0 1-2 1, Hannah Koelsch 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 19 23-34 63 SANDUSKY (3-3, 1-1) Mae Rameau 6 5-9 17, Maddie Peugeot 2 0-3 4, Ra'Kiya Collier 7 5-9 19, Denasia Coy 3 6-10 12, Khiya Rameau 11 0-2 22, Shauntha Wilson 3 0-0 6. TOTALS 32 16-33 80 Perkins 5 18 29 11 — 63Sandusky 26 14 22 18 — 80 Three-point goals: Perkins 2 (J. Brunner, H. Brunner); Sandusky 0