Hutton’s “double-double” leads Rockets to win at Montcalm
NEW CASTLE – The Craig County girls picked up their first win of the season when the Rockets defeated Montcalm in West Virginia last Thursday, 47-32.
The girls fell behind early but outscored Montcalm in the second quarter, 11-2, to take a 19-12 halftime lead. Craig upped the lead to double figures after three quarters, 35-24, and won going away.
Craig County's Jordan Persinger attracts a crowd of Mustang defenders as she takes a shot in the first half at Eastern Montgomery.
Sophomore Melia Hutton led the Rockets with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals. Caitlin Bellasai also had double figures with 11 points and Jordan Persinger had eight for the Rockets.
“We used our size to our advantage to hold them to one shot and done,” said Craig coach Don Eggleston.
Craig had a busy week, as the girls also played at at Eastern Montgomery and at home against Narrows last week. On Tuesday in Elliston the girls dropped a 52-43 decision to East Mont despite 19 points by Hutton. Jordyn Frango had a dozen points for Craig in a game that was marred by a plethora of fouls.
“Both teams were in foul trouble,” said Eggleston. “We finished the game with only five players, and East Mont made 25 of 34 foul shots.”
Last Friday at home the girls dropped a 44-39 game to Narrows. Hutton had 13 points, 10 boards, and five steals as she continued to lead Craig. Bellassai had nine points and Persinger hit the boards for 18 rebounds.
“We got it down to two or three but we never could grab the lead,” said Eggleston. “We shot the ball 82 times but did not make many. I think we shot 20% from the field and our free throw shooting also let us down.”
Now 1-3, the girls are off this week, returning with a game at home against Eastern Montgomery on Tuesday, December 20.
