Press for success, Rockets open season with tournament win

12/7/2025

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Titusville tapped into the depth of their bench, fortitude of their players and a tough full-court press to defeat Cranberry to take the title at the Roy Sanner Tournament at Rocky Grove High School Saturday.

The title game started as a back-and-forth defensive battle between the two teams who also met in the championship game last year.

The Berries struck first and recorded the first five points. Molly Covell and Kasey Krepps answered for the Rockets, but Cranberry won the foul-riddled first quarter 9-7.

The second quarter, however, belonged to Titusville. At the 6:11 mark, the Rockets tied the game at 11 with a bucket by Addie Burleigh. It was the start of a 14-point run, mostly the product of a steely full-court press, five consecutive steals and several quick passes.

With 1:14 left in the half, Titusville had extended its lead to 13 on a three-pointer by Kennedy Baker. Cranberry responded with a bucket plus 1 at the buzzer and the Rockets went into the locker room with a 26-16 edge.

The second half was a little more of the same for the Rockets, aggressive play defensively and outpacing the Berries on offensive, but with a twist - point guard Molly Covell was playing with four fouls.

The Rockets were riddled with players with multiple fouls, the side-effect of aggressive play.

Burleigh hit six of her game total 12 points in the third quarter to help Titusville gain a 39-25 advantage.

But the Berries had more fight left in them. They outscored the Rockets 16-2 in the first half of the final stanza. The game was 41-all with 4:17 left to play and the Rockets were without starter Norah Blakeslee who had fouled out.

Krepps powered through to break the tie just as the energy wave seemed to have turned Cranberry's way.

Titusville regained the lead 43-41, but lost starter Mariah Covell 20 seconds later when she joined Blakeslee on the bench due to fouls.

Krepps answered again with another two points.

Cranberry fought back and the teams were tied at 46 with 51 seconds to play.

Baker sunk a three at the :35 mark and the Rockets took control once again. The Rockets held Cranberry scoreless for the remainder of the game and Burleigh hit both of her free throws with under 10 seconds left to seal the 51-46 victory.

Admittedly foul trouble played a role in the second half of the game, according to head coach Sarah Weigel, "They turned it (defense) down a little bit," she said, noting that they also found times to turn the intensity back up as needed.

"They're learning how to find that balance."

Burleigh, who finished with 12 points, was named the tournament MVP. "She's fast, and if we can get her the ball and she's finishing and she's making her free throws... she's clutch when we need her," Weigel said. "In these pressure situations, she's good at that."

Krepps, who was named to the all-tournament team, scored a game-high 17 points. "If this is where we are already, I can't wait for her this season. It's going to be good," Weigel said.

Baker had eight, Molly Covell had six and Blakeslee and Brooklyn Whitman each had four.

The bench played a key role in the game despite being shorthanded with Nora Lesko, a scrappy defender and good ball handler sitting out after getting hurt in collision Friday night in the opening round.

The Rockets had advanced to the championship game after a 45-11 win over Rocky Grove on Friday night.

It was the first games of the year for the Rockets, who stand at 2-0.

"It was a great start to the season," Weigel said. Her team will be back on the court Monday night with JV and varsity games at Seneca High School.