A lineup shift facilitated more touches for Erin States and a victory for Upper Perkiomen's girls basketball team last weekend. Her dominant second-quarter performance led the team to a 51-42 victory over visiting Kutztown on Saturday, Dec. 9.

            The 6-foot senior center delivered a game-high 20 points to help the Indians

Natalie Kearney drives to the basket against Oley Valley on Dec. 8.  Upper Perk lost the non-league game.

split a weekend non-league series against visiting Berks County opponents. States scored half her points during the second quarter when Upper Perk scored 20 points to build a commanding 35-22 halftime lead.

            Natalie Kearney finished with nine points for the Tribe (2-2). Carly Heiser and Elena Fabian each delivered six points, while Abby Davidheiser and Dana Cahill each registered three points.

            Petsch described Fabian, the first player off the bench, as a solid competitor and interchangeable with Davidheiser, a starting senior forward.

            States shot 7-for-17 from the floor and handled the ball significantly more than she did in a 44-28 loss to Oley Valley the night before. The fourth-year starter, who finished the game with four assists, hit two 3-point shots and converted 4-of-6 from the foul line.

            Fabian contributed six rebounds off the bench against the Cougars. Cahill and Davidheiser each had four steals.

            Five Indians scored during the second quarter to help them extend a 15-11 advantage. Heiser delivered two baskets, and Fabian contributed a bucket and a free throw.

            Against Oley Valley, States finished with a team-high 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and limited offensive touches. Heiser scored eight points during the first quarter to help the Indians build an eight-point edge.

            She scored her team's initial six points, including a turn-around jumper -- off an assist from Kearney -- late in the quarter to put UP ahead 14-6.

            However, the Lynx scored the final three points of the first stanza from the foul line to get within 14-11.

            In the second quarter, the Indians struggled to recognize Oley Valley's defensive approach. According to Petsch, that uncertainty led to some turnovers.

            Though the Tribe extended its edge to 16-11 early in the second quarter on a layup by States, the visitors scored eight of the next nine points. Snyder's layup midway through the second forged a 16-16 tie.

            Though the Indians regained their lead on a layup by Elena Fabian, Oley Valley scored the final three points of the quarter. Ryan Wheeler's layup with a minute left in the second put her team ahead 19-18 at halftime.

            Kearney's driving layup, and a foul shot by Rossangela Padilla early in the third quarter, regained Upper Perkiomen's lead. However, the Lynx scored 11 points to end the quarter with a 30-25 advantage.

            Morgan Snyder posted six points during the run on three layups, including two off steals. Wheeler added a 3-pointer from the right wing during the flurry.

            Snyder scored 11 of her 19 points in the second half to help the visiting Lynx pull away. The senior guard converted nine of her 16 free throws and poured in eight points during the fourth quarter. Eight of Snyder's points during the final eight minutes sparked the decisive 16-1 run.

            Dana Messner registered six of her 10 points in the final quarter. The senior guard made five foul shots down the stretch.

            "During the first three quarters we showed we could compete with Oley Valley," said Petsch, whose team was scheduled to take on Quakertown on Wednesday, Dec. 13. "Overall, we need to do a better job executing the offense."