Castro takes over for Harvest Christian

Paulina Castro has a way of just taking over a game.

The Harvest Christian junior guard did just that on Friday night with 29 points, including 16 in the first quarter, to lead the Lions to a 70-39 home win over Alden-Hebron in Northeastern Athletic Conference girls basketball action. It was the Lions' sixth straight win as they improved to 13-3 overall and remained undefeated at 4-0 in the conference.

"She has a work ethic that is second to none," Harvest coach Rich DeTamble said. "She is always staying long after our team practice is over to work on her shooting and it shows in the games. She can hit the outside shot and has great moves to the basket."

When the Lions got off to a slow start and trailed 3-2 in the opening 2 minutes of the game Castro went to work. She sank a pair of 3-pointers, scored on 4 driving layups, and knocked down a couple free throws during a 21-0 run that put the Lions up 23-3. She also spearheaded the Harvest defense into forcing 8 turnovers.

"We did not come out ready to play," Castro said. "So we knew we had to turn it up and it all starts on defense. Our defense really helps to create plays for us on offense."

The Lions extended the lead to 42-13 by halftime. Kylee Knox, who had 14 points, scored 9 in the second quarter.

"We know to be successful we have to get after the ball," DeTamble said. "We know we are not great in any one area, but we are good in a lot of areas. So we have to get after it on defense. We came out a little slow tonight, but they really came together and started getting after it."

Castro added three 3-pointers in the third quarter and finished with 5 in the game. The Lions led by as much as 66-19 in the second half.

"We did a good job of moving the ball on offense," Castro said. "We worked from the inside out and found the open shots."

The Lions have been averaging 62 points during their current win streak.

"Our defense helps get us a lot of those points," Castro said. "That's really what we emphasize a lot in practice. We work on getting those tips and deflections. That's really been the key for us recently."

Alyssa Iverson added 11 points for the Lions.