CHERRY TWP — When the Moniteau boys basketball team was looking for its offensive mojo Friday night, junior guard Aaron Marterella was more locked in on defense.

The Warriors weren’t looking for flashy baskets in their 51-28 KSAC South win Friday at home over A-C Valley.

Moniteau was looking to use its defense to generate easy offensive opportunities.

The Warriors shot 37 percent (20-of-54) from the field, but made up the difference by forcing 27 turnovers.

Moniteau played without 6-foot-4 senior guard James Bair, who leads the team in scoring at 19.7 points per game.

Bair missed the game with an ankle injury.

“We know we can get stops on defense, which is a big,” said Marterella, who finished with 12 points. “When we come down, we don’t have to look for the best shot every time. We can run it through and take chances.”

The Warriors (2-2, 1-1) held the Falcons without a basket for an 8-minute stretch in the second and third quarter.

A-C Valley (1-3, 0-1) only scored two points in the third quarter.

“It helped tremendously when you get break-out layups,” senior guard Cody Skiver said. “They are the easiest shot in the game. You have to put it in the basket. Our defense has to hustle and get easy looks.”

Neither team got many easy looks in the first half. Moniteau shot 22 percent (4-of-18) from the field and led 11-10 after the first quarter.

The Warriors came up empty on five straight possessions.

“It was almost perfect defense for us,” A-C Valley coach Andy Rapp said. “We defended well, we were in a stance and we boxed out and got our rebounds. We converted on our stops.”

Moniteau took the lead for good in the second quarter.

With the game tied at 15, Marterella made a driving layup that sparked an 11-2 run that ended the half.

Skiver, who scored a game-high 17 points, completed the run with a scoop layup along the baseline at the buzzer to put the Warriors ahead 26-17.

Moniteau coach Jerrod Markle felt his team played at the right pace.

“Be patient, take care of the basketball and push when we have the opportunity,” Markle said. “We’re confident everyone can play.”

The Falcons never were able to regain their rhythm on offense. A-C Valley shot 4-of-18 in the second half.

Joe Manculich led the Falcons with nine points and eight rebounds.

“We were working hard and play help defense,” Materella said. “Not letting them penetrate and get inside.”

A-C VALLEY 28

Kody Wolfe 1 2-4 4, Jake Edwards 0 0-0 0, Ivan Pennington 3 3-5 9, Joe Manculich 3 1-3 8, Zach Muhl 1 0-0 3, Levi Fair 0 0-0 0, Brady Terwillinger 0 0-0 0, John Anderson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 8 6-13 28.

MONITEAU 51

Jake Fullerton 1 0-0 2, Aaron Marterella 6 0-0 12, Cody Skiver 6 3-4 17, Zack Jewart 3 0-0 6, JJ Waid 0 2-2 2, Derek Boben 1 0-2 3, Jared Shaffer 0 1-2 1, Shawn Giddings 1 0-0 2, Brantlee Alexander 0 0-0 0, Lake Pry 1 0-0 2, Jake Jewart 1 0-2 2, Wyatt Geibel 1 0-0 2, Josh Adamson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 6-12 51.

A-C Valley 10 7 2 9 — 28

Moniteau11 15 11 14 — 51

3-point goals: A-C Valley 2 (Manculich, Muhl); Moniteau 5 (Skiver 2, Jewart 2, Boben)

JV: Moniteau 44-24 (Jake Jewart 15)

Tuesday: Venango Catholic at Moniteau; A-C Valley at Cranberry