After rallying to win its season-opening game, Upper Perkiomen's girls basketball team has lost four straight, including a 61-18 non-league to Quakertown.

            On Monday, Carolyn Sipprell scored a game-high 18 points for the visiting Panthers (2-3), who extended a 20-7 lead through one quarter into a 44-9 halftime

Natalie Kearney, left, and Abigail Pfander, right, attempt to steal the ball fro Quakertown's Katie Catalano during Monday night's non-league game.

advantage.  "We were expecting a win, but we didn't think it would be so lopsided," said Sipprell, a senior post player. "We were on our game."

            Katie Catalano, a senior guard, tallied 17 points for Quakertown, which has won two of its last three games. Classmate Katie Hagerty added 10 points. Ava Pistone, a junior, registered nine points.

            Sipprell scored 14 of her 18 points in the first half. She delivered all seven of those baskets in the low post.  "Carolyn is tough to guard, either inside or outside," Panthers head coach Brittany Bamford said. "She's an athlete. She can really run."

            Catalano scored nine consecutive points early in the game, including two 3-pointers, to help her team build a commanding lead. In the second quarter, Hagerty (seven points), Sipprell (six points) and Ava Pistone (six points) accounted for 19 of their team's 24-point outburst.

            Quakertown utilized a three-quarter court trap to force the Tribe into 10 turnovers during the quarter. The team committed 20 turnovers during the first half. 

            "That's due to a lack of proper execution," said Upper Perkiomen coach Shelli Petsch.  "Everyone seemed very rushed. Quakertown was really aggressive with its trap."

            Petsch described the Panthers as the toughest competition her team has faced all season. She said they compared favorably to Spring-Ford and Methacton, two opponents from the Pioneer Athletic Conference's Liberty Division.

            "Quakertown was bigger and quicker than us," the coach said.

            Erin States finished with a team-high 15 points for the Indians, who open their league schedule on Friday at home against Phoenixville. Dana Cahill accounted for their other points, a 3-pointer from the left wing early in the fourth quarter.

            States did her damage on the low block and beyond the 3-point arc. Her 4-point play got the Tribe on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter. Petsch said she wants States to shoot the ball whenever she is open.

            "Erin is doing great," the coach said of States, who finished with four 3-pointers and converted 4-of-7 free throws. "She's grinding every night. She's working really hard to get open."

            States delivered a team-high 15 points in a 54-34 loss to Kutztown on Saturday, Dec. 10. Abby Pfander scored seven points.

            Jazmine Williams registered three points for the Tribe, which trailed 13-8 after one quarter and 26-14 at halftime. Cahill posted two points.

            On Thursday, Dec. 8, the Indians suffered a 59-25 loss at Oley Valley. States finished with a team-high 13 points.

            Abby Davidheiser delivered five points for the Tribe, which trailed 21-9 after the first quarter and 42-11 at halftime. Abby Pfander finished with four points.

            Though the results have been less than ideal, the players have displayed the required energy and attitude to be successful, according to Petsch.  "The girls are practicing hard," she said after the Quakertown loss. "They need to focus better and execute better."