Photo/JOE CATULLO Buckeye Local’s Emily Holzopfel drives to the bucket Monday night.

WINTERSVILLE — Big games can come at any point in the season.

Remaining undefeated and first place in the Buckeye 8 North Division, as well as some Jefferson County bragging rights, were on the line as the Indian Creek girls basketball team faced rival Buckeye Local.

Sparked by a late run in the first quarter, Indian Creek controlled the second and third quarters. The Redskins knocked the Panthers from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 75-55 victory Monday night.

The Redskins had their hands full all night with the Panthers’ dynamic duo of Emily Holzopfel and Alaire Destifanes.

“I was not happy with our defense on Emily and Alaire in the first quarter,” Indian Creek (7-0) head coach Steve Eft said. “In the second quarter, we tightened up our defense. We wanted to make it as difficult on them as possible. They are two of the best players we will see all season.”

Despite the tough defense they faced, the duo combined to still score 43 of Buckeye Local’s 55 points.

“They are going to get their points,” Eft said. “They are two really good players. I got to know them in the fall. I coached them in the Steubenville Fall League. They are nice girls. They work hard. They are good for a reason. We wanted to make it hard on them.”

Starting with its run to end the first quarter, Indian Creek outscored Buckeye Local, 55-33, to take a 63-43 lead into the fourth.

The Redskins led by as many as 25 points in the third. Buckeye Local led by two at one point in the first.

“The more aggressive and more physical team won the ballgame,” Buckeye Local (5-1) head coach Tom Figurski said. “I was not happy with our effort. Defensively, we have some things we need to work on.”

Three players scored in double digits to lead the way for Indian Creek. Makenzie Taylor tallied a team-high 23 points, and Taylor Jones and Kylie Kiger each collected 11 points. Jones grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

“The girls did a good job of executing,” Eft said. “The girls have been working really hard on that. We were more efficient, and that is a credit to them. We were able to attack the basket. It was a team effort. We were balanced in scoring, and that is good to see.”

Holzopfel finished with a double-double (23 points and a game-high 10 rebounds), while Destifanes delivered 20 points.

Indian Creek outrebounded Buckeye Local, 39-16.

“We took advantage of our size advantage,” Eft said. “Our big girls played really well again. Makenzie Taylor and Taylor Jones did a really good job on the glass and with scoring. I am happy with our inside players. They both had big nights.”

The Panthers committed 20 turnovers, while the Redskins committed 18.

“I don’t think it was their press that really affected us,” Figurski said. “They did a good job with their offensive sets. They did what they wanted to do because we were out of position. Hats off to them. Offensively, they did a good job.”

Indian Creek scored the final six points of the first quarter to take a 14-10 lead.

“The last two or three games we have dug ourselves a hole,” Figurski said. “We have not gotten off to good starts. We have been able to come back, but (Monday) we dug ourselves too big of a hole against too good of a team. We just have to go back to the drawing board.”

The Panthers have time off to regroup from the loss, as they do not play again until Dec. 27 at Bellaire.