TURNER — They looked cautious, timid and even tentative.

And those are words not typically used when describing the Leavitt girls’ basketball team.

Early in the third quarter Friday, the Hornets weren’t their usual frantic selves. Their pace and style of play was a far cry from the usual buzz they create on the court.

And Gardiner took full advantage, for a moment.

The previously unbeaten Tigers rallied to tie the game in the key KVAC showdown.  But just as Gardiner thought it was back in business, Leavitt kicked it into its accustomed gear and sped away for a 78-57 win.

The Tigers (9-1) are ranked third in Eastern B and the win for Leavitt (9-1) boosted them into the top spot in Western B.

“We were excited,” said Leavitt coach Tammy Anderson, whose team was supposed to play Gardiner Thursday until snow delayed it a day. “The weather kind of bummed us out because we wanted to play. The kids were ready. I’m sure they were too. (Mike Gray) is a great coach and they’re a great program.”

Kristen Anderson led Leavitt with 38 points, including eight 3’s. Adrie Newton added 24 points while Amanda Jordan had seven. Gardiner got 21 from Jenna Moore. Katie McAllister had 13 while Paige Pilsbury chipped in 10.

It was a frantic first half with both teams making runs, but Leavitt had opened a 37-26 lead by halftime. With Anderson nursing three fouls, the Hornets played careful to start the third and realized soon enough that it didn’t work for them.

Gardiner opened the half with a 9-2 run and got within 39-36 with a three-point play by McAllister. After a Jordan basket, and five points from Moore, tied it 41-41 with 4:35 left.

“We were just cautious,” said Kristen Anderson. “At first we came out shaky. As the quarter went on, we got better and got our lead back.”

Anderson broke the tie with a 3. A nice passing play by Newton and Anderson set up Sarah Frost. Anderson sank a pair of free throws after a Gardiner technical for too many players on the court. Newton converted a steal for nine straight and a 50-41 lead. Anderson added a pair of 3’s late in the quarter to make it 56-47.

“It definitely got to us,” said Kristen Anderson. “We knew we had to step it up. We had players who did a great job like Amanda Jordan, Mariah Treadwell and Sarah Frost step up for us defensively and offensively.”

Determined not to repeat the third-quarter start, Anderson drilled a pair of 3’s to start the fourth, and Leavitt never looked back.

“We were a little timid,” said Tammy Anderson. “With Kristen having three fouls, she does a lot for us on the floor. “

She stressed that her team play disciplined, but admits it can be a tough compromise for her club.

“All of our kids are aggressive,” said Tammy Anderson. “When someone gets into foul trouble, we just need to make sure we get into good positions defensively.”

Leavitt’s defense swarmed the Tigers early and Gardiner had a hard time keeping pace. Gardiner had 20 turnovers in the first half.

“It’s hard to replicate the pace they play at,” said Gray. “We’ve been playing at a pretty good pace, but we’ve been able to get stops. It’s a lot easier to get stops when you don’t have a kid pulling up from 25 feet out.”

Leavitt opened a quick 15-8 lead on five points from Anderson and a three-point play by Newton. Gardiner cut it to 16-14, but Newton hit a 3 and scored on a rebound for a 21-14 lead after one.

The Hornets started the second with nine straight points as Gardiner turned the ball over four straight times. The Tigers had an 8-0 run of their own later in the quarter to get within 32-24, but a Newton drive and an Anderson 3 pushed the lead to 37-26 at the half.

“I thought we came out and got a little flustered early,” said Gray. “They went on a couple of runs, and we answered pretty well in the third quarter. Then Anderson started hitting some shots, and we couldn’t answer.”

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