By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
Paw Paw's dominance over the Niles basketball program is over.
The Lady Vikings had not beaten Paw Paw for the last three years, but had little trouble dismissing the Redskins, 61-41, Thursday night in non-conference action.
The Vikings led 29-20 at halftime, but broke things open in the third quarter with an 11-0 run midway through the period. A dominant fourth quarter, in which Niles outscored Paw Paw 19-10, sealed the deal and improved the Vikings to 7-0 on the year.
Dreher, a sophomore who is leading the team in scoring and rebounding, had a game-high 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four assists. Peters, a junior, had 14 points, 15 rebounds, nine steals and seven assists.
Niles had 55 rebounds.
The Vikings are in the midst of a six-game road trip. Niles plays at Benton Harbor and Dowagiac next week before travelling to Mattawan on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
The Niles junior varsity basketball team improved to 6-1 with a 58-25 victory over Paw Paw. Kayla Gross led the Vikings with 13 points. Jessica Shinsky added 12 and Chardae Ross scored 11.
Niles……….61
Paw Paw….41
Niles: Ashley Pingel 1 2-4 4, Amber Peters 6 2-3 14, Jessica Johnson 4 0-0 8, Leigh Tyler 0 0-0 0, Brandie Radde 1 0-0 3, Sarah Dreher 6 3-3 15, Kate Whittaker 2 0-0 4, Colombe Martin 0 0-0 0, Melissa Olsen 4 2-2 8, Ashley Spriggs 2 0-0 5. Totals: 25 9-12 61
Paw Paw: Ashley Surdy 0 0-0 0, Julie Baltmanis 5 5-6 15, Christie Booth 0 1-2 1, Ashley Skinski 5 0-0 10, Jamie Warkentien 2 1-2 5, Leah Sweet 1 0-0 2, Nicole Surdy 0 0-0 0, Carey Jeschke 2 0-0 4, Chrissy Gooding 0 0-0 0, Haleigh Gokey 1 2-4 4, Brianne Wood 1 0-0 2. Totals:< 16 9-14 41 Niles 14 15 13 19--61 Paw Paw 6 14 11 10--44 3-point shooting: Niles 2 (Radde, Spriggs), Paw Paw none. Team fouls (fouled out): Niles 18 (none), Paw Paw 11 (none). Team records: Niles 7-0, Paw Paw 4-3