It’s been a struggle for the rebuilding Valley Central girls’ basketball team, and the Wallkill Panthers, recently ranked eighth in New York State by the New York State Sportswriters Association, did what they had to do.

They put the game out of reach by halftime and cruised to a 53-19 win at Wallkill Senior High School on Thursday night.

“They did what they’re supposed to do,” Wallkill coach A.J. Higby said. “(Valley Central’s) a great group of kids. I love that coach and my kids did what they had to do, and then hopefully showed enough respect to the game. I don’t like these scores. I’d rather it be within two or three points.”

Zoe Mesuch scored a game-high 17 points, 15 of them in the first half, as the Panthers built a 36-12 lead at the break.

The Panthers have been rolling since a season-opening loss to the Warwick Wildcats on Dec. 3, and close games have been few and far between, at least in their Mid Hudson Athletic League schedule.

The Panthers have beaten Red Hook twice and could see the Raiders one more time this season. Since squeaking by Pine Bush, they’ve beaten both Highland Rondout Valley by 50, and the Marlboro Dukes by 28, 63-35 on Jan. 25.

They have three regular season games left, all Mid Hudson Athletic League Division I opponents, as the regular season winds to a close on Feb. 10.

Two of those games – FDR and Saugerties – are on the road. They’ll finish the regular season at home against New Paltz on Feb. 10.

“FDR at home is tough,” Higby said. “Saugerties at home will be tough. So, these girls better be ready to play because it’s not going to be simple.”