POTTSVILLE – Maybe Tamaqua didn’t have its “A” game during Monday’s Schuylkill League girls basketball game with Pottsville.

Or maybe it was a case of the Crimson Tide playing one of their best games of the season.

Either way, when it mattered most, the Blue Raiders found a way to take care of business and post a 52-43 victory at Martz Hall, the Mecca of high school hoops.

“We’ll take it,” said Tamaqua coach Erika Davis. “I thought Pottsville played very well. It’s the first time this season we’ve faced a junk defense.”

The Tide kept pestering Tamaqua standout Emma Kuczynski — perhaps the best overall player in the Schuylkill League — as they played a box-and-one defense to try and contain her.

“We needed other players to step up and help — and they did,” said Davis. “I thought overall some of kids did a great job. From Sophia Boyle, to Emily (Titus) and McKenna (Kane), and Jamie Zuber — they all contributed.”

Tamaqua was nowhere near its stride in the first half as it fell behind 11-7 after eight minutes. Titus poured in six straight points to start the second quarter, however, and eventually Tamaqua took command by the half, grabbing a 25-17 lead.

The Raiders seemed poised to put the game out of reach with a 13-0 run late in the third quarter, but Pottsville wouldn’t go away and thanks to some sharp three-point shooting fought their way back into the game. The Tide drilled six treys in the contest, including three by Julia Kowalski in the second half. When Jules Plachko banked one in off the window, Pottsville was within striking distance (42-35) with five minutes remaining in the game.

But the Raiders found their stride once again as Titus, Zuber, Boyle and Kuczynski all scored points and the Raiders’ defense forced four turnovers in the final 2:22 of the contest. Boyle and Zuber were extremely active in the stretch run with their defensive play.

“We put some pressure on their guards, and Boyle and Zuber both did a terrific job forcing turnovers,” said Davis about the closing run.

CLOSER BATTLE … Tamaqua sank the Tide in the first meeting between the teams one month ago, 59-25.

RAIDERS ROLLING ... Tamaqua improves to 12-2 overall and 6-2 in league play. Pottsville falls to 3-11 overall and 2-6 in the league

SHOOTING STARS … The Raiders were led by Kuczynski with 17 and Titus with 16. That tandem is a tough duo to beat, but don’t overlook the floor play of Zuber, Jen Fredrickson and Boyle. They all contribute in ways other than scoring. For Pottsville, Kaile Conrad led the way with 17 points.

STATS ... Kuczynski had nine rebounds for the Raiders, while Titus pulled down seven rebounds and made five steals.

JV BLITZ … Tamaqua ran by the Tide in the JV contest, 54-12. The Raiders, now 9-2, were led by Serena Jones with 21 points. Emma Hope had 11 and Trenyce Wingler added 10.

TAMAQUA

Kane 2-0-0-5, Zuber 0-0-1-0, Hromyak 1-0-0-3, Boyle 2-0-1-5, Titus, 5-6-7-16, Frederickson 2-0-0-4, Kuczynski, 6-5-6-17, Reinhardt 1-0-2-2 .TOTALS: 19-11-17-52

POTTSVILLE

Plachko 2-0-0-4, Kowalski 4-0-2-11, Guzick 1-0-0-3, Welsh 0-0-0-0, Blum 2-0-0-4, Conrad 7-1-1-17, Hable 2-0-0-4. TOTALS: 18-1-3-43

Tamaqua 7 18 15 12 - 52

Pottsville 11 6 11 15 - 43

Three-pointers: Tamaqua - Kane 1, Hromyak 1, Boyle 1; Pottsville - Kowalski 3, Conrad 2, Guzick 1.