Austin girls off to impressive start

Austin is off to a fast start in girls' basketball.

Brockway became the latest victim of coach Dick Logue's squad, falling on the Austin floor, 63-35. Rayna Valenti scored 23 points, while Whitney Crosby tallied 19 points and had 10 rebounds. Logue was especially pleased with the Panthers' defensive effort and bench play.

On Tuesday, Austin exploded for a 40-2 lead and defeated visiting Galeton, 67- 8. Valenti scored 26 points, while Casey Boucher tallied 16 points and had six steals. Crosby contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Lisa Fowler had seven rebounds and five steals.

Austin came home with the championship trophy from the West Branch Girls' Basketball Tip-Off Tournament in Morrisdale.

In Saturday's title game, the Panthers beat West Branch, 47-41. Crosby (17) and Valenti (15) led the offense. Crosby and Boucher each sank a pair of three-pointers. Valenti was named most valuable player and joined Crosby on the all-tournament team. Fowler pulled down 12 rebounds for Austin, while Crosby and Valenti combined for 13 more. West Branch carried a 29-28 lead into the fourth quarter, when the Panthers exploded for 19 points.

Austin came out of the gate on fire in Friday night's opener with a 53-28 win over Grier. Strong rebounding and effective pressure defense were key factors, said coach Logue.

Crosby (16 points, 6 assists, 6 steals) and Valenti (14 points, 9 rebounds) led the scoring. Cassey Stuckey and Hilary Gordnier combined for 14 rebounds. Boucher had five steals. The Panthers stretched a 12-7 lead to 44-21 by the end of the third quarter.

Austin travels to Cowanesque Valley on Monday, followed by a trip to Elkland on Thursday.