YATESVILLE — That badgering, bothersome defense playing four quarters at breakneck speed did it again for the undefeated Nanticoke Area Trojanettes.

And it left one more opponent frustrated and frazzled.

Chalk up yet another one to Nanticoke Area’s full-court press, which forced 23 turnovers Thursday and turned a showdown of Wyoming Valley Conference division leaders into a punishing 72-40 victory over Pittston Area at Pittston Area High School.

“Our press got us the win,” said Trojanettes guard Kayla Aufiero, who sparked a defensive surge that made 16 steals and moved Nanticoke Area to 13-0 overall as the Wyoming Valley Conference’s lone unbeaten team.

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That success on the press may have been a mild surprise, considering Pittston Area is typically a sure-handed team that’s known for springing its own press to change the outcomes of games.

But Riley Klepadlo made seven steals, Aufiero swiped five more passes, and the Trojanettes used their swarming pressure to turn a one-point deficit entering the second quarter into a 20-point lead after the third period.

“It’s been causing problems for everyone,” Nanticoke Area coach Alan Yendrzeiwski said. “We’ve got to do it a little differently than we’ve done in the past. We don’t have a tremendous amount of size. But we have speed.”

It showed.

While starters Klepadlo, Aufiero, Lisa Radziak and Katie Butczynski flooded passing lanes and closed off scoring options for Pittston Area, Nanticoke Area reserves Alyssa Lewis, Bella Czeck and District 2 record-setting track and field sprint champion Amiah Lukowski were equally effective when they stormed the court.

“The team speed certainly has a lot to do with it,” Yendrzeiwski said. “We’re deep, too. Our kids can come off the bench and we don’t lose anything from that. It’s just hard for the other team when you keep running wave after wave of girls at them.”

Which made things easy for the Trojanettes.

Aufiero led their scoring assault, finishing with a game-high 19 points, while Klepadlo and Radziak combined for 27 more and Alexis Pyzia tossed in 10 more.

That gave Nanticoke Area, which remained tied with Holy Redeemer at 7-0 at the top of the WVC Division 2, 13 consecutive wins to open the 2016-17 season.

“Oh, there’s a ton of pressure,” Aufiero said of the streak. “But it’s also really exciting to be 13-0.

“We want to continue it.”

Pittston Area had plans to put an end to Nanticoke Area’s season-long celebration.

The Patriots, who fell to 5-2 in the WVC Division 1 and out of a first-place tie with Wyoming Valley West, quickly fell behind 11-5 before rallying to take the lead in the final 90 seconds of the first quarter.

But they went up 12-11 when Kirsten Durling drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer, giving the Patriots plenty of life.

Nanticoke Area made sure it was short-lived.

The Trojanettes kept trapping Pittston Area ballhandlers from the second quarter on and limited the Patriots to eight points in the second and third quarters.

The big problem? Pittston Area couldn’t get the ball to 6-foot center Leah Hodick, who scored nine points in the first half but finished with 12 for the game.

Meanwhile, Aufiero made sure the game turned the Trojanettes’ way.

She split 10 points with Radziak in the second quarter as Nanticoke Area surged to a 28-20 halftime lead, then scored eight more in the third quarter as the Trojanettes opened a comfortable lead.

Aufiero’s 3-pointer with 2:05 to play in the third quarter boosted Nanticoke Area into a 15-point advantage, and her three foul shots after she drew a foul on a 3-point try sent the Trojanettes into the final quarter up 48-28.

“She’s just been on fire lately,” Yendrzeiwski said of his sharp-shooting guard. “It seems like lately, her shot has really been pure. You’re so happy to see it from a good kid like that.”

For good measure, Klepadlo finished things off with 11 of her 14 points during the final eight minutes as Nanticoke Area kept the pressure, and the points, flowing.

“I thought our girls did a great job,” Yendrzeiwski said. “By the end of the second quarter, we started to see our press was starting to get to them a little bit. Our kids just respond.

“I think we’re really fun to watch.”

Holy Redeemer 61,

Dallas 46

Samantha Yencha scored eight of her 16 points in the first quarter while Maya Kornfeld finished with 13 to lift the Royals on the road.

Sara Lojewski (17) and Maddie Kelley (16) combined for 33 of Dallas’ 46 points.

Wyoming Valley West 57,

Wyoming Area 44

Erin Gibbons came through with a game-high 22 points to lead the Spartans to a home win. Colleen Cwalina added 13 while Gabby Smicherko had 11.

Sarah Holweg and Katie Wolfgang scored 12 apiece for the Warriors.

Berwick 53,

Coughlin 15

Reese Mensinger scored 23 points as Berwick jumped out quickly in its victory. Tori Talanca added eight.

Emily Cicon scored seven to pace Coughlin.

Hazleton Area 62,

Tunkhannock 23

Maddie Mrochko scored 22 points as Hazleton Area placed three players in double figures.

Kendra Pfeil had 17 and Marissa Trivelpiece added 11 for the Cougars.

Rebecca Avery scored 12 for Tunkhannock.

Meyers 64,

Wyoming Seminary 49

Giana Skaff scored a game-high 21 points, including four 3-pointers, as Meyers outscored the Blue Knights 37-17 in the second half to overcome a 32-27 halftime deficit. Sarah Bottger added 16 points in a winning effort.

Wyoming Seminary freshman Alex Wesneski scored a team-high 18 points.

Nanticoke Area 72, Pittston Area 40

NANTICOKE AREA (72) — Katie Butczynski 1 0-0 2, Alexis Pyzia 5 0-0 10, Riley Klepadlo 5 4-6 14, Lisa Radziak 5 2-2 13, Kayla Aufiero 5 5-5 19, Alyssa Lewis 2 0-2 4, Amiah Lukowski 4 0-1 8, Bella Czeck 1 0-0 2, Maddy Grilz 0 0-0 0, Jil Baron 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 11-16 72.

PITTSTON AREA (40) — Kirsten Durling 6 0-0 13, Taryn Ashby 3 0-0 6, Andrea Ruby 0 0-0 0, Alexa Noone 3 0-1 7, Leah Hodick 5 2-3 12, Mary Silinskie 0 0-0 0, Portia Weidlich 1 0-0 2, Cherokee Musto 0 0-0 0, Kayleigh Walker 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Pandana 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 2-4 40.

Nanticoke Area`11`17`20`24`—`72

Pittston Area`12`8`8`12`—`40

Three-point goals — NAN 5 (Aufiero 4, Radziak); PA 2 (Durling, Noone)

Holy Redeemer 61, Dallas 46

HOLY REDEEMER (61) — Maya Kornfeld 6 1-2 13, Irelyn Jannuzzi 3 2-3 10, Julia Andrejko 0 4-4 4, Talia Kosierowski 1 5-7 7, Sam Rajza 3 3-4 9, Samantha Yencha 7 2-2 16, Cameron Marcinkowski 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 17-22 61.

DALLAS (46) — Maddie Kelley 8 0-0 16, Hanna Johnson 0 2-4 2, Sara Lojewski 8 0-2 17, Kendra Saba 0 0-1 0, Lauren Charlton 0 0-0 0, Olivia Johnson 1 2-2 5, Fianna Centrella 2 2-4 6, Maria Bednar 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-13 46.

Redeemer`15`16`14`16 — 61

Dallas`13`15`10`8 — 46

Three-point goals — HR 2 (Jannuzzi 2); DAL 2 (Lojewski, O. Johnson)

Valley West 57, Wyoming Area 44

WYOMING AREA (44) — Aleah Kranson 1 0-0 3, Sarah Holmes 4 2-2 12, Lydia Edwards 1 0-0 3, Natia Orzel 2 1-1 5, Katie Wolfgang 3 4-6 12, Addison Orzel 2 5-10 9. Totals 13 12-19 44.

WYOMING VALLEY WEST (57) — Erin Gibbons 7 5-8 22, Andi Blaski 2 1-4 4, Natalie Gruver 2 1-2 5, Katie Mackiewicz 1 0-0 2, Gabby Smicherko 5 0-0 11, Colleen Cwalina 5 3-4 13. Totals 22 9-15 57.

Wyoming Area`13`10`9`12 — 44

Valley West`11`14`15`17 — 57

Three-point goals — WA 6 (Holmes 2, Wolfgang 2, Kranson, Edwards); WVW 4 (Gibbons 3, Smicherko)

Berwick 53, Coughlin 15

BERWICK (53) — Reese Mensinger 8 0-1 23, Jordan Greshko 0 0-0 0, Tori Talanca 3 3-4 9, Maddie Lanning 1 0-0 2, Whtiney Switzer 0 0-0 0, Abbey Burt 0 0-0 0, Sierra Meidaner 0 0-0 0, Megan Dalo 1 0-0 2, Haley Owens 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Davis 1 2-2 4, Mallory Pinterich 1 2-2 5, Roni Isenberg 4 0-0 8. Totals 19 7-9 53.

COUGHLIN (15) — Emily Cicon 3 1-2 7, Ajalaya Butts 0 1-2 1, Le’June Berry 0 0-0 0, Claire Curtis 1 1-4 3, Arianna Brittingham 0 0-0 0, Molly Poray 0 0-0 0, Yanel Perez 0 0-0 0, Niasha Sherry 1 0-0 2, Morgan Gayton 0 0-0 0, Courtney Wartella 0 0-0 0, Kira Meager 1 0-0 2. Totals 6 3-8 15.

Berwick`18`10`10`15`—`53

Coughlin`8`0`3`4`—`15

Three-point goals — BER 8 (Mensinger 7, Pinterich).

Hazleton Area 62, Tunkhannock 23

TUNKHANNOCK (23) — Sydney Faux 0 0-0 0, Kelly Barber 0 0-0 0, Annalise Verbeck 0 0-0 0, Josie Frisco 0 4-6 4, Sadie Trochak 0 0-0 0, Jessica Ell 2 0-0 5, Katie Hawley 0 0-0 0, Sam Generoth 1 0-2 2, Adaka Flores 0 0-0 0, Izzy Robinson 0 0-0 0, Rebecca Avery 5 2-4 12. Totals 8 6-12 23.

HAZLETON AREA (62) — Kendra Pfeil 7 0-0 17, Marissa Trivelpiece 4 1-3 11, Mia Cundro 0 0-0 0, Maddie Mrochko 8 0-0 22, Ashley Albrechta 0 0-0 0, Alexis Sheeto 0 0-0 0, Erika Book 0 3-4 3, Katie Lipinski 2 0-0 4, Virginia Yurchak 1 0-2 3, Megan Trivelpiece 0 0-2 0, Erin Potoskie 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Jones 1 0-0 2, Faith Grula 0 0-0 0, Diamond Truluck 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 4-11 62.

Tunkhannock`6`8`5`4`—`23

Hazleton Area`23`14`17`8`—`62

Three-point goals — TUN 1 (Ell), HA 12 (Pfiel 3, Ma.Trivelpiece 2, Mrochko 6), Yurhcak).

Meyers 64, Wyoming Seminary 49

WYOMING SEMINARY (49) — Alex Wesneski 7 3-6 18, Annemaaike Reitsma 4 4-7 13, Ally Vezendy 5 0-0 12, Julia Gabriel 1 2-6 4, Brenna Satkowski 1 0-0 2, MT Lehman 0 0-0 0, Paige Parsons 0 0-0 0, Olivia Meuser 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 9-19 49.

MEYERS (64) — Giana Skaff 6 5-6 21, Sarah Bottger 5 6-8 16, Erin Morris 5 1-2 13, Amanda Gray 1 2-3 4, Allycia Harris 2 0-0 4, Bella Skaff 1 1-2 3, Elise Fellerman 1 0-0 2, Kahley Nilon 0 1-3 1, Devon Keiper 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 16-24 64.

Wyoming Seminary`19`13`7`10`—`49

Meyers`12`15`17`20`—`64

Three-point goals — WS 4 (Vezendy 2, Rehsman, Wesneski); MEY 6 (G. Skaff 4, Morris 2).

Pittston Area’s Taryn Ashby, left, and Nanticoke Area’s Alexis Pyzia go for a loose ball under the Nanticoke Area basket in Thursday night’s Wyoming Valley Conference game.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_na_pi1_faa-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Taryn Ashby, left, and Nanticoke Area’s Alexis Pyzia go for a loose ball under the Nanticoke Area basket in Thursday night’s Wyoming Valley Conference game. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Nanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo attempts a shot as Pittston Area’s Alexa Noone (23) and Andrea Ruby try to block her.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_na_pi2_faa-2.jpg.optimal.jpgNanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo attempts a shot as Pittston Area’s Alexa Noone (23) and Andrea Ruby try to block her. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Nanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo brings the ball down court after a Pittston Area turnover.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_na_pi3_faa-2.jpg.optimal.jpgNanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo brings the ball down court after a Pittston Area turnover. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Nanticoke Area’s Lisa Rodziak (23) and Kayla Aufiero and Pittston Area’s Alexa Noone go after a loose ball as Nanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo makes a surge from the back in the Thursday night’s Wyoming Valley Conference game.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_na_pi4_faa-2.jpg.optimal.jpgNanticoke Area’s Lisa Rodziak (23) and Kayla Aufiero and Pittston Area’s Alexa Noone go after a loose ball as Nanticoke Area’s Riley Klepadlo makes a surge from the back in the Thursday night’s Wyoming Valley Conference game. Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Nanticoke’s defense forces 23 turnovers to remain unbeaten

By Paul Sokoloski

psokoloski@timesleader.com

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To see video of Nanticoke beat Pittston Area visit the online version of this story on timesleader.com

Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @ TLPaulSokoloski

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