BRUSHFORK — A pair of Mercer County rivals met on the hardwood of the Brushfork Armory, Saturday afternoon as the Bluefield Lady Beavers entertained the PikeView Lady Panthers.
In a game that saw monumental swings in both directions, PikeView held on for a 61-58 win, setting up what should prove to be an interesting sectional tournament at the end of February.
“We started out doing great and then it turned,” said Pike View head coach Karen Miller. “I’m proud of our girls. They fought and played hard and we got the lead near the end. For us to get back in there and get the lead and come out with a win was great.”
Bluefield head coach Tony Mallamaci said, “I think we had a little hangover from the game before (Thursday vs. Summers County). It took us a little while to get started, but once we got started we did pretty good, but then we had a letdown.”
Bluefield’s Jia Coppola scored the game’s first basket, but it would be a long time before the Lady Beavers put another digit on the scoreboard. Strong inside play and baskets by Courtney White and Lyndsay Hatfield provided 15 points and PikeView climbed out to an 18-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Moving to the second quarter, it appeared as if there were a total reversal of fortune for the teams. Emmaleigh Gallinger dropped a three ball in for Bluefield’s first points since the game’s opening minute to start the Lady Beavers’ comeback.
Midway through the period the PikeView lead was down to seven when Dani Janutolo popped in a three, Essence Brown made a free throw and Janutolo hit two charity tosses to make it a three-point game, 20-17. With just over two minutes to play before halftime Janutolo stole the ball and converted to bring her team to within one.
PikeView did not get on the board in the second until 1:41 was left when current Pocahontas Coal Association/Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Week Madison May converted two free throws.
Bluefield took its first lead with 23 seconds remaining in the half on a fast break layup by Coppola and at the half the Lady Beavers were on top by a point, 23-22.
The Lady Beavers continued to excel in the third quarter. In addition to scoring in transition the outside shot developed as Gallinger connected on one and Jessica Hayden two threes as the Bluefield lead grew to 15 points at the end of the third stanza, 44-29.
The final quarter belonged to PikeView as the Lady Panthers went on a 15-0 run to open the frame and tie the game a 44 on Lyndsay Hatfield’s basket with 5:15 left in the game. From that point the teams battled with PikeView forcing ties at 46 and 50. Both teams lost starters to fouls. Lauryn Hatfield went out with 3:15 to play and Coppola fouled out at the 2:29 mark. Back-to-back goals by Brittany Moore and Lyndsay Hatfield gave the visitors a 55-50 lead with two minutes to go.
Bluefield again came back. Lyndsay Hatfield fouled out with 52.3 on the clock at which time Brown sank two free throws to make it a one-point game 57-56 in favor of PikeView. Seconds later Moore made one-of-two to make it a two-point game and Bluefield turned the ball over on the inbound play. Katelyn Shrewsbury’s basket with 20 seconds to go made it 60-56, before Alyssa Lester made two from the line to make it a two-point game. PikeView’s final point came from the line by May. Bluefield drove down court and missed a shot before the buzzer, but it was a two-point attempt.
Lyndsay Hatfield led PikeView and all scorers with 23 points. White added 16 and May tallied 14.
Miller talked about the play of her reserves, who she termed key to the victory.
“We’ve got some kids who will come off the bench and help and that made the difference,” Miller said. “Some people may think we don’t have anybody coming off the bench, but we have some kids that can come in and play. Everybody played hard and aggressive and that’s what we are going t have to have the rest of the season.”
Mallamaci further explained his team’s play.
“It started to change when we went man and we got some turnovers off that man which got us out to running transition,” Mallamaci said. “What got us out of it was the pressure and us not executing the press break correctly.”
Bluefield was paced by Coppola who scored 15. Janutolo added 12.
Miller summed it up, adding, “Tony’s got a good team and we’ll probably see them again in the sectionals.”
Both teams are back in action Monday. Bluefield hosts Richlands while PikeView visits Shady Spring.

At Brushfork Armory
PIKEVIEW (10-4)
Brittany Moore 1 1-2 3, Madison May 4 6-8 14, Brennah Davis 0 0-0 0, Lauryn Hatfield 1 1-1 3, Katelyn Shrewsbury 1 0-0 2, Katelyn Odle 0 0-0 0, Lyndsay Hatfield 9 4-7 23, Courtney White 7 2-6 16, Totals 23 14-24 61.
BLUEFIELD (10-3)
Emmaleigh Gallinger 3 0-0 8, Jia Coppola 6 3-4 15, Essence Brown 2 3-4 7, Jessica Hayden 2 0-0 6, Alyssa Lester 4 2-2 10, Abby Atwell 0 0-0 0, Dani Janutolo 3 5-6 12, Teryn Auville 0 0-0 0, Totals 20 13-16 58.
PikeView..........................18 4 7 32 — 61
Bluefield..........................2 21 21 14 — 58
3-point goals: PV 1 (Lyndsay Hatfield); B 5 (Gallinger 2, Hayden 2, Janutolo)
Fouled out: PV - Lyndsay Hatfield, Lauryn Hatfield; B - Coppola