Port Allegany is 8-2 against Smethport since February of 2019, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Port Allegany Gators will be home for the holidays to greet the Smethport Hubbers at 7:30 p.m. Both teams come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Port Allegany scored the most points they've had all season to find success on Wednesday. They came out on top against Oswayo Valley by a score of 54-46. The win made it back-to-back wins for Port Allegany.
It was another big night for Kayleigha Dowell, who scored 20 points along with three steals and three blocks. That makes it three consecutive games in which she has scored at least 25% of Port Allegany's points. Another player making a difference was Ella Moses, who scored 14 points along with six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Smethport had to endure a four-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They really took it to Galeton for the full four quarters, racking up a 52-12 victory at home. That looming 52-12 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for Smethport yet this season.
Smethport's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Elizabeth Hungiville, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 12 rebounds. Hungiville is absolutely dominating the rebound category: she's posted at least eight every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaidyn Goodman, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and ten rebounds.
Port Allegany's victory bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Smethport, their win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 2-7.
Keep an eye on the arc in Friday's match: Port Allegany have been dynamite from deep this season, having only made 34.1% of their threes per game. It's a different story for Smethport, though, as they've only nailed 28% of their threes per game this season. Given Port Allegany's sizeable advantage in that area, Smethport will need to find a way to close that gap.
Port Allegany beat Smethport 47-37 in their previous meeting two weeks ago. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Smethport's Payton Neff, who scored 17 points along with five rebounds. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Port Allegany still be able to contain him? There's only one way to find out.
