TURNER — Leavitt girls basketball coach Chris Marston wanted to see the Hornets convert more points off turnovers against Mount View.
The Hornets took that to heart as they swiped a dozen steals as a team in a 52-33 victory over the Mustangs on Tuesday.
“We are working on being in more control,” Marston said. “Sometimes we get excited when we get a turnover, and we end up giving it right back of being so overwhelmed, being excited that we caused a turnover. We have been working on gathering the ball with two hands and stopping with two feet, just being in control of the basketball, so we make it count with an extra possession.”
Caitlyn McCoy led the Hornets (5-1) with 23 points and Jazzlyn Clark added 10.
“I hold myself to a really high standard and especially last game (against Waterville), I didn’t really play good,” McCoy said. “For my confidence, I needed to have a game and I was pushing myself, doing everything I can, and taking the opportunities that are given.”
Arianna Bradeen led Mount View (2-2) with 20 points.
Leavitt stole the ball four times in the opening quarter. Clark collected the first steal of the game and went down the court for a layup and a 2-0 lead.
“As a team, we were very energetic, and if we get the steal, we are motivated to get the basket,” Clark said. “Starting the game off with a basket sets the mood for the rest of the game and motivates everyone else.”
Clark scored six points in the quarter.
Leavitt also used the 3-pointer in the first quarter, as McCoy and Gabby Smith each hit a trey in the period.
Bradeen scored four points for Mount View in the first quarter as Leavitt held a 13-6 lead after eight minutes.
McCoy continued to fire behind the arc, hitting two more 3s in the second quarter.
“We were aware that she was a great shooter,” Mount View coach Brandon Hurd said of McCoy. “Our game plan was not to give her much to shoot, but she was quick and found some openings and made us pay every time.”
Clark dropped in four more points in the second quarter.
Bradeen racked up the majority of the points for the Mustangs in the second quarter, with six.
Leavitt took a 25-16 lead into the half.
The Hornets grabbed five steals in the third quarter as they started to pull away. McCoy totaled eight points in the third.
Jordyn Boulay chipped in with four points for the Hornets. They led 43-20 after holding Mount View to four points in the third quarter.
“We were a second-half team prior to this, so I was expecting us to come out with much more fire in that third quarter, but it just didn’t happen,” Hurd said. “I guess you credit Leavitt with good defense and shutting us down.”
Bradeen got Mount View’s offense going in the fourth quarter, adding six points.
“Arianna has been a spark for us all year, offensively and defensively,” Hurd said. “Tonight, for whatever reason, the magic wasn’t there across the board. She came on strong late in the game, so it’s something positive to build off.”
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