PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: Salt Fork's heat is too much for Milford to handle

Dec. 15—CATLIN — There is no need for a stove or a microwave, but the Salt Fork Storm girls basketball team's goal in every game is to "heat the ball up."

Now, if you wondering what that means, Salt Fork senior Macie Russell has the explanation.

"When we press, we get after it a lot," she said. "That's a goal of ours. They call it heating the ball up, which is really getting after it on the defensive end and trying to make our opponent turn the ball over."

An interesting concept and one that proved to be successful Thursday night as the Salt Fork Storm defeated the Milford Bearcats 49-16 in a Vermillion Valley Conference contest.

"We take pride in our defense and every one of our girls plays really good defense," Salt Fork coach Brian Russell said. "Even those that are learning the game on this team are playing really good defense.

"We know that we still have improved to make, but where we are at is a good spot."

After starting the season 1-2, the Storm have won seven of their last eight, including their first four conference contests as they are now 8-3 overall and 4-0 in the VVC.

"With the things we have gone through at the start of the season, we have developed some really good team chemistry," Brian Russell said. "We are just playing good team basketball. If we continue to do that, I look forward to see what we can do the rest of this season."

Salt Fork has enjoyed one big addition to its lineup in the last few weeks.

Junior guard Alexa Jamison, a two-time Associated Press All-State selection, has returned from a knee injury.

"Not knowing if we were going to have her was difficult," Brian Russell said. "(Being back this soon) allows here to figure out what things she needs to do to prepare for each game and allows us to continue to get better as a team.

"When we got the news she was coming back, we were all extremely excited about it. It's nice to have everyone back...I think we can do a lot of good things."

But on Thursday night, Jamison finished with just 7 points. Russell led the way with 16, followed by sophomore Brycie Hird with 8. The Storm also got 5 points from Sailor Pacot and Taylor Remole, while Bracie Hird added 4.

"We have a lot more people looking to score. It's not just one or two people," said Russell. "If makes the team a lot stronger when everyone is involved. It also makes it harder on opposing teams to guard us.

"Everyone is sharing the ball and everyone is looking to score. I hope that continues."

Russell and Jamison are returning starters this season for Salt Fork, why Brycie and Bracie Hird were key contributors off the bench. The rest of the Storm team are relatively new to varsity basketball but the coach has been pleased with his team's development.

"These girls are very coachable. They are sponges right now, they are soaking everything in," he said. "We are trying to figure out what our identity is going to be, and I think we have figured it out. Now, it's basically polishing it as we continue through the season.

"We still have unfinished business, but we are headed in the right direction."

Senior Heather Mowrey was the leading scorer for Milford (6-9 overall, 2-1 in the VVC) with 7 points, while freshman guard Kami Muehling have 5 in the losing effort.

Salt Fork 49, Milford 16

Milford (16) — Kami Muehling 2 1-2 5, Jasmin Cullum 1 0-0 2, Cadence Shaubert 0 0-0 0, Sydney Seyfert 0 0-2 0, Hallie Scott 0 0-0 0, Madisyn Laffoon 1 0-2 2, Hailey Rieches 0 0-0 0, Lilly Carter 0 0-0 0, Lillie Harris 0 0-2 0, Janelle Parker 0 0-0 0, Hunter Mowrey 3 1-2 7, Molly Coffey 0 0-0 0, Anna Mann 0 0-2 0. Totals: 7 2-12 16.

Salt Fork (49) — Macie Russell 6 4-4 16, Brycie Hird 4 0-0 8, Ella Cary 0 0-0 0, Bracie Hird 2 0-0 4, Alexa Jamison 2 2-2 7, Taylor Remole 2 1-5 5, Sailor Pacot 2 1-2 5, Raina Conner 0 0-0 0, Miley Pierce 1 0-0 2, Anna McCollum 0 0-0 0, Brianna Filicsky 1 0-0 2, Morgan Russell 0 0-0 0, Brylee Filicsky 0 0-0 0, Rhaelyn Flak 0 0-0 0, Hailey Walraven 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 8-13 49.

Milford 4 6 4 2 — 16

Salt Fork 18 10 19 2 — 49

3-pointers — Salt Fork 1 (Jamison). Total fouls — Milford 15, Salt Fork 18. Fouled out — none. Officials — Josh Lewis, Roger Montgomery, Tim Revello.

Records — Milford 6-9 overall, 2-1 in the Vermilion Valley Conference. Salt Fork 8-3 overall, 4-0 in the VVC.

JV Score — Salt Fork 30, Milford 4.