Wednesday Roundup: Lady Wolverines capture D-I title for first time since 2016-17 season with win at C-R; Whitesville girls lock up D-II title with edging of Belfast

CUBA — It all came down to Wednesday night. One final road trip. One final game.

The Lady Wolverines knew what was at stake entering the Wighthouse in Cuba-Rushford. Head coach Justin Thomas, in his fourth season with the team, said the outcome was all going to hinge on one enormous factor in Allegany County Division I.

“Heading into this year, I would have thought that we would have a chance at it,” he said. “Fillmore has been the class of Allegany County for the last several years, and our success in the league, especially this year, was going to depend on how we did against them. They made us earn it in both games. Not only that, but in our games against Andover and Cuba as well, they both gave us at least one solid dogfight to put it toward earning it even more.”

Bolivar-Richburg has already brought out the brooms to sweep Fillmore in their season series after coming out victorious over the road this past week. But now it would all come down to their regular season finale against the Lady Rebels. To officially lock it up, they would need one final victory.

After a solid first eight minutes was put away, the Lady Rebels were able to hang around, but as the old saying goes: It’s not how you start, but how you finish.

The Lady Wolverines came in through the clutch. With Cuba-Rushford clinging to a seven-point deficit to make up in the fourth quarter, the visitors in black and red denied a chance of their lead sliding through their grasp, as they put together their strongest effort of the night - a 16-5 run through the last eight minutes to secure their first Allegany County Division I championship in Thomas’ tenure, and the first since the 2016-17 season with a 54-36 victory.

“This was the night that Cuba gave us some trouble,” Thomas said. “We got a bit of a lead, and Aaron’s (Wight) girls dug in and never gave up the entire way. They got some fantastic looks, and at times, they kept us frustrated on offense. We never really took control of the game at any given moment. It was more contentious than the score reflects. It was nice to do just enough to squeak by in these close battles, and get out on the winning end.”

The Lady Wolverines (7-2) could not have done it without another massive effort from their senior center star, Aliyah Cole, who dominated down low with her game-high 25 points. Jianna Nix added a helping hand to the team’s inside game, recording 10 more points, while Kelsey Pacer chipped in with eight of her own.

Bolivar-Richburg managed to jump their way out to a 14-6 lead through the opening frame, but Cuba-Rushford (1-8) was able to cut it down to stay within reach for much of the game. But in the fourth quarter, it became unsurmountable, as the Lady Wolverines saved their best outing of offense for last, providing a 16-5 run that saw them coast their way toward victory to capture their first Division I crown outright.

Brynn Lavery led the scoring for the Lady Rebels with a team-high 10 points. Tara Duvall added in seven points, while Macie Demick had six for the hosts, who will conclude their road slate of games on Friday with a 6 p.m. visit to Andover.

With the victory, it will also secure a spot in the postseason for the Lady Wolverines, as they wrap up with another winning season for Thomas with a record of 7-2. Their wait for Sectional seeding now begins.

“As of right now, we’re at four in Class C2,” said Thomas. “But there are other teams that can edge us. I don’t think we can go any lower than five, but between Geneseo and York, and Oakfield, if any of them win their last two, they can jump over us by a smidge. It looks decent enough to have a home game to open up the tournament, but we’re definitely in the dance for sure.”

Bolivar-Richburg 14 10 14 16 – 54

Cuba-Rushford 6 11 14 5 – 36

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: McKinlee Harris 2 0-0 5, Kelsey Pacer 4 0-2 8, Kayli Giardini 1 0-0 2, Aliyah Cole 11 3-6 25, Jianna Nix 5 0-0 10, Jessica Majot 1 0-0 2, Destiny Cantrell 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 3-8 54.
CUBA-RUSHFORD: Lillian Forward 1 0-0 2, Brynn Lavery 4 0-0 10, Ella Jaffe 2 0-2 4, Macie Demick 3 0-0 6, Taylor Searle 1 2-2 5, Elysa Tylor 1 0-0 2, Tara Duvall 3 1-3 7. Totals: 15 3-7 36.

3-point goals: B-R 1 (Harris), C-R 3 (Lavery 2, Searle).
Total Fouls: B-R 10, C-R 6. Fouled out: None.

Wellsville 37, Fillmore 32

WELLSVILLE — The Lady Eagles and Lady Lions exchanged blows throughout the first half of play, as they wound up deadlocked at 16 apiece when time expired in favor of halftime.

But after their re-emergence to the court for the second half, Wellsville provided the difference-making jaunt - a 13-8 run in the third quarter that paid massive dividends, as they managed to escape Fillmore’s grasp for their fifth straight win by a 37-32 count.

“The third quarter was the difference,” said Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord. “We got steals and took care of the ball. Any time Fillmore tried to cut into the lead, we would always find a way to respond back again. We had a big three from (Emily) Costello, (Kaylee) Coleman had a couple of good looks and then (Emily) Robbins had a three-point play that was huge coming down the stretch. Fillmore played really well. They’re a scrappy team, and they made us earn every bucket. This group is fun, and I wish we played 25 games. They all play well together, they’re super unselfish and we’re balanced.”

That balanced offense played another crucial role in the Lady Lions (8-2) finishing their regular season strong, and officially capturing their place in the second season, showing out to their big third quarter run to split open a 16-16 tie with the Lady Eagles at halftime to pull ahead. Even though Fillmore and Wellsville were dead even in the fourth, the hosts had the big play that kept them ahead with Robbins connecting with her clutch three-point play to keep their cushioned lead in tact.

Emily Costello would lead the Lady Lions offense with a team-high 11 points to go with 10 steals, completing her double-double. Marley Adams chipped in with eight points of her own to go with seven steals, while Jaylynn Mess provided six points to go with six rebounds.

Fillmore (5-4) was led by Morgan Byer, who provided an excellent three-point game from downtown, nailing all three of the team’s triples to put toward her game-high 13 points. Emma Cole dug down low and scored eight points, while Jadyn Mucher had four for the Lady Eagles, who head back home to host unbeaten Whitesville at 6 p.m. to conclude their regular season on Friday.

Prior to the Varsity contest, the Lady Lions JV squad officially put a cap on their undefeated season with a 39-26 win over Fillmore. Sarah Reitz led the way with 12 points, while Makenna Dunbar added in 10 for a Wellsville team under head coach Brian Meyers, that finished with a perfect 10-0 record.

As for the Varsity Lady Lions, their regular season is now in the books, as they now await their Sectional seeding this weekend after finishing with a record of 8-2 in their shortened campaign.

Fillmore 6 10 8 8 – 32

Wellsville 9 7 13 8 – 37

FILLMORE: Grace Russell 1 0-0 2, Emma Cole 2 4-6 8, Rachel Hatch 1 0-0 2, Jadyn Mucher 1 2-2 4, Morgan Byer 5 0-0 13, Harley Miller 0 1-2 1, Preslee Miller 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 7-10 32.
WELLSVILLE: Marley Adams 3 2-4 8, Jaylynn Mess 2 1-2 6, Emily Costello 4 1-2 11, Jaelyn Knapp 1 0-0 2, Brooklyn Stisser 0 1-2 1, Emily Robbins 2 1-1 5, Kaylee Coleman 2 0-0 4. Totals: 14 6-11 37.

3-point goals: Fillmore 3 (Byer), Wellsville 3 (Costello 2, Mess).
Total Fouls: Fillmore 11, Wellsville 10. Fouled out: None.

Whitesville 39, Belfast 35

WHITESVILLE — The Belfast Lady Bulldogs gave undefeated Whitesville everything they could handle over the road, Wednesday night. Despite a late second half rally from the visitors in black and red, a pair of first half runs by the Lady Jays would prove to be just enough of a difference maker to keep them out of the loss column, as they locked up the 39-35 home victory to move to 9-0 on the season.

With the victory, it also secured another bonus for the Lady Blue Jays — their second straight Allegany County Division II championship under head coach, Aaron Rawady.

“We knew tonight would be nothing like the first game,” Rawady said. “They weren’t at full strength then, and tonight they were, and it showed. Credit to Jim (Schneider), he does a great job with his girls. Vanessa (Hall) is a great player, and she would be defended differently after how she played over there, and that’s what happened. She has drawn so many looks because of it. All that attention has given her teammates opportunities to step up, and they did so again tonight. Rachel (Jackson) knocked down some key shots, Kennedy (Bledsoe), Aislinn (Hamilton), Gabbi (Hall) and Serena (Ainsworth) all played great defense and rebounded well."

Rawady continued on his County title-clinching victory, adding “It wasn’t the best performance from us, but we did just enough. Clinching the D2 title was nice, but the girls knew that they weren’t satisfied with that. Because they know they can play better. That really says something about this young group we have.”

The Lady Jays (9-0) were able to use a strong first half ascension to the lead after battling tough with Belfast through the first eight minutes, as they eyed an opening right before halftime with a 15-7 second quarter run that gave them the 10-point lead heading to break. Coming back out for the second half, the Lady Bulldogs turned up the heat on the hosts with narrow outscorings of their own, with their biggest coming in the third to cut the deficit to five entering the last period.

But in the end, it would not be enough to overcome and hand the Lady Jays their first loss of the season. Vanessa Hall would lead the charge for the Lady Jays on offense with her game-high 15 points, including a near immaculate 7-for-8 at the charity stripe and 13 rebounds, completing her double-double. Rachel Jackson added in 10 points of own, while Kennedy Bledsoe and Aislinn Hamilton added eight, and seven rebounds off the glass respectively.

Belfast (7-3) was led by Alicia Borden, who was busy inside with her 10 team-high points. Mary Hamer and Kaitlin Sadler were both not far behind, as they each bucketed six points. The Lady Bulldogs regular season is over, as they wrap up with a record of 7-3 and will now await their fate for the Sectional tournament.

As for Whitesville, their regular season will come to an end over the road Friday night in Fillmore, as they prepare to visit the Lady Eagles in a 6 p.m. contest inside The Rock.

Belfast 8 8 12 7 – 35

Whitesville 11 15 7 6 – 39

BELFAST: Alicia Borden 5 0-0 10, Anna Drozdowski 1 1-4 4, Mary Hamer 3 0-0 6, Kaitlin Sadler 3 0-1 6, Emma Sullivan 2 0-0 4, Cierra Wallace 2 1-3 5. Totals: 16 2-7 35.
WHITESVILLE: Kennedy Bledsoe 1 2-2 4, Rachel Jackson 4 0-0 10, Serena Ainworth 1 0-0 2, Vanessa Hall 4 7-8 15, Aislinn Hamilton 3 0-1 6, Serina Button 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 9-11 39.

3-point goals: Belfast 1 (Drozdowski), Whitesville 2 (Jackson).
Total Fouls: Belfast 16, Whitesville 11. Fouled out: Sadler (BEL).

Friendship 30, Genesee Valley 29

BELMONT — It was a game that came down to the wire, but in the end, the Friendship Lady Golden Eagles were the last team standing over the road on Wednesday, as they managed to edge out the host Genesee Valley Lady Jaguars by the slimmest of margins in a 30-29 victory inside The Jungle.

Stats and a complete box score were not made available upon publication.

The Lady Golden Eagles (4-4) will wrap up their home-at-home series with the Lady Jaguars back home in Friendship on Friday at 6 p.m.

Andover 32, Scio 4

ANDOVER — Kelsie Niedermaier dominated Andover’s inside game, as she posted a career and season-high on offense with her game-high 23 points for the Lady Panthers, while the defense held Scio to just a single basket from the field in their 32-4 home victory over the visiting Scio Lady Tigers on Wednesday in bounce back fashion.

With a 6-2 lead in hand after the first quarter of play, Andover (4-7) ultimately rolled their way ahead at halftime with a 10-0 second quarter run to seal the advantage for good. Finishing behind Niedermaier on the stat sheet was Gabby Terhune, who added in five points. Katie Calladine and Addison Morgan rounded off with a two-point basket each.

Scio (0-11) was led by both Camryn Wiech and Melana Davenport, each recording two points.

The Lady Panthers will look to finish their regular season on a positive note back on their home floor Friday night, as they welcome in the Cuba-Rushford Lady Rebels for a 6 p.m. battle. As for Scio, they return home to play host to Archbishop Walsh tonight in a 6 p.m. contest of their own.

Scio 2 0 2 0 – 4

Andover 6 10 12 4 – 32

SCIO: Camryn Wiech 0 2-2 2, Emily Stilson 0 0-2 0, Melana Davenport 1 0-1 2. Totals: 1 2-5 4.
ANDOVER: Olivia Hanks 0 0-2 0, Gabby Terhune 2 0-0 5, Katie Calladine 1 0-0 2, Addison Morgan 1 0-0 2, Kelsie Niedermaier 10 3-8 23. Totals: 14 3-10 32.

3-point goals: Andover 1 (Terhune).
Total Fouls: Scio 16, Andover 9. Fouled out: None.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Belfast 58, Hinsdale 23

HINSDALE — The Belfast Bulldogs pitched a first quarter shutout on host Hinsdale, as their offense kicked it into high gear almost immediately with a massive 23-0 run of the Bobcats, a run that ultimately set the tone for good, as they rolled their way toward a seventh straight win by a 58-23 count over the road, Wednesday night.

Three different scorers eclipsed the double digit mark for Belfast (9-1), with Stephen Struckmann dominating the paint down low with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, completing his double-double. Tony Logue continues to shine from downtown for the visitors in black and red, scoring four of the team’s eight three-pointers to put toward his 14-point performance. Matt Weaver added in 12 points of his own. Jason Drozdowski grabbed 14 rebounds off the glass.

Hinsdale (1-8) was led by Jake Elliott, who netted a team-high 10 points. Zach Byrne had eight points.

Both teams are back on the floor this evening, as the Bulldogs will look to end their road regular season slate with a 7:30 p.m. visit to Andover, while Hinsdale prepares for a 6 p.m. visit from Friendship.

Belfast 23 11 14 10 – 58

Hinsdale 0 10 6 7 – 23

BELFAST: Jason Drozdowski 1 0-0 2, Nick Ellison 3 0-0 8, Tony Logue 4 2-5 14, Matt Weaver 4 2-2 12, Steven Buchholz 1 0-0 2, Stephen Struckmann 10 0-0 20. Totals: 23 4-7 58.
HINSDALE: Zach Byrne 3 1-4 8, Ethan Cashimere 1 0-0 3, Parker Keenan 1 0-0 2, Cody Barton 0 0-2 0, Jake Elliott 4 0-0 10. Totals: 9 1-6 23.
3-point goals: Belfast 8 (Logue 4, Ellison 2, Weaver 2), Hinsdale 4 (Barton 2, Byrne, Cashimere).
Total Fouls: Belfast 7, Hinsdale 9. Fouled out: None.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Wellsville 3, Arkport/Canaseraga 1

ARKPORT — After suffering their first loss of the season to the hands of Cuba-Rushford earlier this week, the Lions got back on track in their regular season finale over the road on Wednesday, as they scored the last two wins after splitting with Arkport/Canaseraga in the first two sets to take the four-set victory (25-19, 18-25, 25-11, 25-16).

Walker Waldon led the way for Wellsville (7-1) with 13 game-high kills on offense to pair with his six aces from the service line, and five blocks. Jake Schrlau added in four more aces on service, along with three digs, one kill and one assist. Setter Matt Bittel was busy up front dishing out the apples, garnering 21 of them in all to pair with his three aces.

The Lions will face either Scio or Bolivar-Richburg on Monday in the opening round of the County Championship Tournament.