Tuesday Roundup: Lady Lions celebrate emotional Senior Night with 63-28 home finale win over B-R; GV boys engineer 3rd quarter run to help in outlasting host And/Whi

Wellsville senior Marley Adams, middle, fights her way through the Bolivar-Richburg defense on her way to the basket during Tuesday night’s home finale in Wellsville. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

Wellsville senior Emily Costello (12) fires a pass across the court into the open wing while Bolivar-Richburg senior Kayli Giardini (13) defends during Tuesday night’s home finale in Wellsville. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

Wellsville freshman Makenna Dunbar, back, waits for a play to develop in front while being watched by Bolivar-Richburg senior Jessica Majot (24) during Tuesday night’s home finale in Wellsville. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

Bolivar-Richburg senior Jessica Majot (24) looks to drive her way inside against the defense of Wellsville senior Jaelyn Knapp, right, during Tuesday night’s road finale in Wellsville. [Chris Brooks/WellsvilleSports.com]

WELLSVILLE — Emotions were high. Many tears were shed. From their families, to the coaches, and even the five Lady Lions themselves — Marley Adams, Emily Costello, Jaelyn Knapp, Jaylynn Mess and Kaylee Coleman, Tuesday night marked the final time they would play a regular season game in front of their home crowd.

Right before they took the floor to warm up against visiting Bolivar-Richburg, the five stellar Lady Lions came together right at mid-court for one last huddle together in regular season action.

And then, one last departing word by their assistant head coach Brian Meyers.

“Go out, and give it everything you got.”

From start to finish, the Lady Lions went on to do just that, providing one stellar finish to their home slate of regular season games, as they sprung right out from the starting gates with 11 straight points, setting a bar that the Lady Wolverines were unable to match across all 32 minutes to roll their way towards a memorable Senior Night victory by a 63-28 count.

“It was a nice send-off for the girls. It’s easier for me, because I know we’re playing again tomorrow, and then we’ll have a home Sectional game,” said Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord. “This group has been so easy to coach. They’ve helped me get to 200 career wins, and a lot of those victories have been with these Seniors. They all have played since ninth grade for me, and they’re a close-knit group as far as being together. The leadership this group holds is unmatched, especially with the way they are with the underclassmen. I hope I’ve played a part in helping them remember this for the rest of their lives. They’ve made my coaching career a lot easier the past five, six years. They’re an honor and privilege to coach.”

The Lady Lions (15-3) never looked back after a solid first quarter start that saw them get the early jump on Bolivar-Richburg, as the offense provided 11 straight points to power up a 19-9 run that ultimately gave them the lead to control their own destiny from start to finish.

Three of Wellsville’s seniors eclipsed double figures on offense to lead the charge, with Knapp being at the front of the pack behind a game-high 17 points to pair with her seven rebounds. Adams chipped in with 14 points of her own to go with eight rebounds and three steals, while Costello compiled 11 points and four assists to help continue building extensions to their lead while holding the Lady Wolverines to under 10 points in all four quarters on defense to secure their win.

In addition for the hosts in white and orange, Kaylee Coleman led the rebounding department with 10 boards, while Jaylynn Mess handed out five assists.

Bolivar-Richburg (3-16) was led by Kayli Giardini, who tallied a game-high 11 points. Jessica Majot dug down low to provide seven points, while Nadia Baldwin and Raegan Giardini rounded off with six, and four points respectively.

Before the Senior Night festivities took center stage, the Wellsville JV squad picked up a big 42-9 win over Bolivar-Richburg, with Lindsey Stuck leading a balanced offense with nine points, while Averee Palmatier added in eight more.

Wellsville will hit the road for their final regular season game tonight, as they prepare to visit the Lady Panthers of Portville in a 7:30 p.m. battle that Alvord says, will give her team a final look at where they stand before Sectionals officially begin next week.

“I think it’s a great matchup, and I like having this game at the end of the year,” she said. “It’ll be a benchmark for us to find out how far we’ve come. I expect it to be a close, well-coached, competitive game. Portville is very similar to us, as far as personnel. Win or lose, we’re either the second or third seed in B2 going into the second season. Hopefully we can gain some momentum after having a rough week, last week. However the chips may fall, we’ll get in and see how things pan out.”

Bolivar-Richburg 9 7 5 7 – 28

Wellsville 19 11 19 15 – 63

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Nadia Baldwin 2 1-2 6, Raegan Giardini 1 1-2 4, Kayli Giardini 5 0-1 11, Jessica Majot 2 3-4 7. Totals: 10 5-9 28.

WELLSVILLE: Marley Adams 4 5-6 14, Jaylynn Mess 3 0-0 6, Emily Costello 4 0-0 11, Jaelyn Knapp 7 3-6 17, Emily Robbins 1 0-0 2, Sara Reitz 1 2-4 5, Kaylee Coleman 1 1-2 3, Makenna Dunbar 2 0-0 5. Totals: 23 11-18 63.

3-point goals: B-R 3 (Baldwin, R. Giardini, K. Giardini), Wellsville 6 (Costello 3, M. Adams, Reitz, Dunbar).
Total Fouls: B-R 13, Wellsville 13. Fouled out: Cantrell (B-R).

Fillmore 41, Cuba-Rushford 23

CUBA — The Lady Eagles of Fillmore were destined to end the regular season on the highest notes of them all - an unbeaten regular season. With two more games remaining, they were able to move one step closer towards that on Tuesday over the road in Cuba.

Through the first eight minutes, the Lady Eagles began with a run that they built against host Cuba-Rushford and never it saw it slip through their grasp, establishing their offensive dominance with three quarters composed of at least 10 points, as the tag team of Emma Cole and Jadyn Mucher led the way in Fillmore’s 41-23 win over the Lady Rebels.

“Overall, I was really pleased with the effort that we gave Fillmore,” said Lady Rebels coach Aaron Wight. “They are a tough team, and they always come out with a great game plan, and they executed it very well against us.”

Cole and Mucher led the Fillmore (19-0) offense towards big heights, as they combined to record 32 of the team’s 41 total points on the floor, each netting a game-high 16 points. The two Seniors would come together to coordinate all 14 of the first quarter points that the Lady Eagles collected to power their 14-3 run of Cuba-Rushford that ultimately set the tone for the remainder of the evening.

The lead was branched out even further in the next pair of quarters to allow them more space to break away from the Lady Rebels in the end, ending the half with a 28-10 lead and never looking back. Helping further the cause on offense for the visitors in black and green was Hope Russell and Preslee Miller, as they each tallied four points.

The Lady Rebels (7-12) were led by a team-high 12 points from Taylor Searle, including all eight of the team’s points in the last eight minute period. Ella Jaffe chipped in with four points, while Brynn Lavery had three. Cuba-Rushford will now await Sectional seeding for their trek through the Class C2 bracket, which begins this weekend.

As for the Lady Eagles, they are off to the Jungle for one last regular season road trip, visiting the Lady JagDogs of Genesee Valley/Belfast in a 7:30 p.m. showdown in Belmont tonight.

Fillmore 14 14 10 3 – 41

Cuba-Rushford 3 7 5 8 – 23

FILLMORE: Hope Russell 1 2-4 4, Emma Cole 8 0-0 16, Jadyn Mucher 6 4-6 16, Zoe Beardsley 0 1-2 1, Preslee Miller 2 0-4 4. Totals: 17 7-16 41.
CUBA-RUSHFORD: Lillian Forward 1 0-0 2, Ella Jaffe 2 0-0 4, Brynn Lavery 1 1-1 3, Gabby Kranock 1 0-0 2, Taylor Searle 4 1-2 12. Totals: 9 2-3 23.

3-point goals: C-R 3 (Searle).
Total Fouls: Fillmore 9, C-R 12. Fouled out: None.

Houghton Academy 42, Friendship/Scio 27

HOUGHTON — Just 24 hours after splitting a home twinbill on their hardwood, Houghton Academy returned to the floor with another doubleheader, this time against visiting Friendship/Scio. Up first was the girls contest, as both teams fought their way through a slow first quarter to begin on Tuesday.

But through it all, the host Lady Panthers were able to created enough separation away from Friendship/Scio, as they provided out-scorings in all four quarters to keep their lead in tact with a 42-27 victory to kick off the doubleheader on the right foot.

The Lady Panthers (9-7) overcame a slow battle through the opening quarter, coming up with a 6-4 lead to control. The lead was extended from that point forward, with the help from Jessica Prentice, who provided one of her best games of the season to front the attack for the hosts in white and blue, netting a game-high 26 points.

Houghton Academy would go on to hold Friendship/Scio (7-13) to under 10 points in the remaining quarters to pull away for good, including a 13-8 final eight minute period to branch their 10 point lead to 15. Helping the cause for the Lady Panthers was Anna Huizenga, who recorded six points. Maddy Paschalis had four points.

Friendship/Scio saw Morghyn Ross pace the attack behind a pair of three-pointers in her team-high eight point effort. Melana Davenport chipped in with six points of her own, while Kiara Grover had five to add.

Both teams and their regular seasons have now concluded, as they now await Sectional seeding which will begin this weekend.

Friendship/Scio 4 9 6 8 – 27

Houghton Academy 6 13 10 13 – 42

FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Nevaeh Ross 2 0-0 4, Kadence Donohue 0 1-2 1, Claire Calhoun 1 0-0 3, Melana Davenport 3 0-0 6, Kiara Grover 2 1-2 5, Morghyn Ross 3 0-0 8. Totals: 11 2-4 27.
HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Anna Huizenga 3 0-0 6, Maddy Paschalis 2 0-0 4, Emily Tankeh 1 0-0 2, Jessica Prentice 10 4-9 26, Jessica Adenuga 1 0-0 2, Pauline Haensel 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 4-9 42.

3-point goals: F/S (M. Ross 2, Calhoun), HA 2 (Prentice).
Total Fouls: F/S 10, HA 18. Fouled out: None.

Avoca/Prattsburgh 48, Canisteo-Greenwood 47

CANISTEO — It was a game that saw the Lady Redskins of Canisteo-Greenwood trail all game long. Despite the lows, they were able to find the highest of highs by taking their first lead in the most clutch of times during the Steuben County Tournament title game on Tuesday.

Still holding the lead with under 30 seconds left, the tournament’s top seeds hoped to keep it in their favor down the homestretch. Each team would continue to trade punches until Avoca/Prattsburgh delivered the devastating blow with three seconds left, as Emma Carlton knocked home the go-ahead basket to help the No. 2 seeds become this year’s tournament champions with a 48-47 edging.

The Lady Redskins (15-5) had to work their way back into the thick of the contest right from the start, as Avoca/Prattsburgh got the early jump they wanted to start with a massive 17-7 run through the opening quarter. But they would climb back to within reach of their opposition right before the half ended, as Bailey Mullen bucketed eight of the team’s 14 second quarter points to end the half with a 14-6 run of their own to close the gap to just a pair entering the break.

Despite the first half rally from behind, Canisteo-Greenwood would soon have to work their way back once more in the second half, successfully doing so in the late stages of the fourth quarter when they took their first lead of game with 1:20 left on the clock.

For the last 80 seconds, both teams would trade possessions and provide lead changes along the way, with Avoca/Prattsburgh going back in front with 17 seconds left off a big banked three-ball from the hand of Riley Stowe — one of three she knocked down in the contest for the visiting second seeds.

After the Lady Redskins garnered some assistance from the line to regain the lead, Avoca/Prattsburgh called game with Carlton’s massive inside shot with three ticks left to officially pick up this year’s Steuben County title.

Despite the loss, the Mullens — Lillian and Bailey, combined to record 29 of the team’s 47 points, with Lillian leading the way with a game-high 17 points, while Bailey followed with 12. Brooke Byrd also chipped in with 12 points of her own.

Canisteo-Greenwood will now await Sectional seeding in the Class C1 Tournament, which will occur this upcoming weekend.

Avoca/Prattsburgh 17 6 14 11 – 48

Canisteo-Greenwood 7 14 9 17 – 47

AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH: Emma Carlton 3 0-0 6, Kamryn Edwards 2 2-2 6, Kendra Pinckney 2 1-2 7, Riley Stowe 4 1-2 12, Laura Morera 2 0-0 6, Marissa Reid 5 1-1 11. Totals: 18 5-7 48.

CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Bailey Mullen 4 3-8 12, Hailey Davis 3 0-0 6, Lillian Mullen 5 5-8 17, Peyton Peters 0 0-2 0, Brooke Byrd 4 4-5 12, McKenna Ferris 0 0-2 0. Totals: 16 12-25 47.

3-point goals: A/P 7 (Stowe 3, Pinckney 2, Reid 2), C-G 3 (L. Mullen 2, B. Mullen).
Total Fouls: A/P 23, C-G 10. Fouled out: Reid (A/P).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mount Morris 53, Belfast 41

BELFAST — The Bulldogs of Belfast were in control of their own ship, Tuesday night for Senior Night with Mount Morris in town to close out their regular season slate. Both teams wheeled and dealt, with Belfast springing ahead at one point during the second half.

But the visiting Blue Devils had saved their best effort for the last eight minutes.

After losing the lead going in, Mount Morris pushed everything to the center of the table in order to play spoiler against the Bulldogs, as they rounded up 21 fourth quarter points while holding the hosts to just five back the other way, finishing the game on the highest of notes to take back home a 53-41 win.

Mount Morris was led by the combination of Stephen Somers and Mason Santini all night long, beginning in the opening quarter, where the two scorers combined for 10 of the team’s 13 points, sandwiched in between a Peyton Bownds three-pointer, while Matt Weaver took charge of the Belfast (12-7) offense with seven of the team’s nine points.

With a four-point lead in hand, it would shrink to one at the break, as the Bulldogs saw both Kadin and Anthony Logue sink a three to go along with some help at the line to assist in cutting their deficit down to 21-20 when the half reached its conclusion.

That would create some newly-sought momentum for the hosts in white and red, as they made their second half return to the hardwood worthwhile with a game-high 16 points, led by Anthony Logue’s resurgence, sinking nine of the team’s points while more balanced followed behind to give the Bulldogs a 36-32 lead.

But in the fourth quarter, the duo of Somers and Santini came to life one last time to help engineer the night’s biggest jaunt — a 21-5 spurt to end the game, as both Blue Devils sharpshooters came together to collect 16 of the points to help the team play spoiler, and wrap up strong. Somers would finish with a game-high 32 points for Mount Morris.

Belfast was led by Anthony Logue, who concluded with a team-high 15 points, while Weaver followed with nine points. Connor Stork chipped in with eight points.

The Bulldogs now await their place in the Class D2 Tournament, when Sectional seeding officially gets underway this weekend.

Mount Morris 13 8 11 21 – 53

Belfast 9 11 16 5 – 41

MOUNT MORRIS: Chase Young 2 2-5 6, Stephen Somers 12 4-4 32, Payton Bownds 2 0-0 5, Mason Santini 5 0-0 10. Totals: 21 6-9 53.
BELFAST: Kadin Logue 2 0-1 7, Max Miller 0 2-2 2, Anthony Logue 6 1-2 15, Matt Weaver 4 0-4 9, Connor Stork 4 0-0 8. Totals: 16 3-9 41.

3-point goals: Mt. Morris 5 (Somers 4, Bownds), Belfast 5 (K. Logue 2, A. Logue 2, Weaver).
Total Fouls: Mt. Morris 12, Belfast 8. Fouled out: None.

Genesee Valley 49, Andover/Whitesville 43

WHITESVILLE — Through much of the first half, Genesee Valley and Andover/Whitesville were pitted in a dead heat with one another. In their Tuesday night battle in Whitesville, leads were exchanged and back-and-forth punches were drawn.

After it all, it would come down to the second half.

With a two-point lead in hand, the Jaguars used it as an extra boost of energy. One that ultimately changed the game, as they scored a massive third quarter run to pull out ahead of Andover/Whitesville by as much as 13 at one point. But the hosts would make up all of that deficit to make things interesting coming down the stretch, tying the game in crunch time.

But the Jaguars would find a way to hang on in the end, using their free throws to their utmost advantage, hitting nine straight from the line in the last two minutes of play to make sure Andover/Whitesville remained in the rearview mirror, as they secured a 49-43 road victory.

Both squads saw a fair amount of balance come together in the opening frame, which saw Genesee Valley (4-15) take the early four-point lead on the hosts. But that deficit would come down to a pair at the break, with Luke Erdmann and CJ Estep taking charge with all 11 of the team’s points, led by a pair of Erdmann treys from outside.

But the Jaguars would find a big opening against Andover/Whitesville (6-13), as they scored a 13-2 third quarter run, fronted by multiple scorers including Ryan Daciw, who had five of the team’s 13 points.

In the final eight minutes, the rally was on for the hosts, as Estep proceeded to put the offense on his back with 12 of his game-high 21 points all being scored in the last session to help power up a 22-point stand to catch up to Genesee Valley, ultimately tying the game past midway.

As things began to click for the Andover/Whitesville offense, the special teams game brought on by Genesee Valley resonated even more, especially from Thai Norasethaporn, who helped the Jaguars come through in the clutch with a 7-for-8 outing at the stripe to assist in pulling the team back out ahead with the lead for the remainder of the contest.

The Jaguars were led by Brayden Cooper, who scored eight of his team-high 14 points in the second quarter. Norasethaporn would follow with 11 points, eight in all from the charity stripe, while Elden Aquila finished with nine of his own.

Finishing behind Estep’s 21 game-high points for Andover/Whitesville, was Erdmann and Justin Waters, each recording eight points.

Both teams will wrap up their regular season slates on Thursday, with Genesee Valley heading back home to welcome in the Fillmore Eagles for a 7:30 p.m. battle, while Andover/Whitesville hits the road one last time for a 6 p.m. tip-off against Houghton Academy.

Genesee Valley 12 9 13 15 – 49

Andover/Whitesville 8 11 2 22 – 43

GENESEE VALLEY: Brayden Cooper 5 4-6 14, Elden Aquila 4 1-6 9, Max Wedge 1 1-6 3, Ryan Daciw 1 3-6 6, Thai Norasethaporn 1 8-10 11, Fisher Herdman 3 0-3 6. Totals: 15 17-37 49.
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Jack Belmont 0 0-2 0, CJ Estep 8 4-6 21, Justin Waters 4 0-0 8, Luke Erdmann 3 0-0 8, Dylan Acor 1 0-1 2, Spencer Mattison 1 0-0 2, Kohler Niedermaier 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 4-9 43.

3-point goals: GV 2 (Daciw, Norasethaporn), A/W 3 (Erdmann 2, Estep).
Total Fouls: GV 14, A/W 27. Fouled out: Wedge (GV), Daciw (GV).

Friendship/Scio 40, Houghton Academy 28

HOUGHTON — All that was needed was an opening that was ajar enough to squeeze through. For Friendship/Scio, they kicked the door straight in within the first eight minutes of play, as they made sure the night was cut in half after Houghton Academy picked up the victory on the girls side, holding the Panthers scoreless while they ran off toward a 40-28 road win on Tuesday.

Friendship/Scio (11-9), behind a balanced offensive outing, came out firing on all cylinders with a dynamic and scoreless first quarter to hand Houghton Academy — a run that would ultimately pave the way towards big success later on, as the visitors staved off the late pressure put on by the Panthers in the second half after a third quarter saw them trail by 10 going into the fourth.

Jacob Golden and Taylor Moore led the offense for Friendship/Scio, with Golden recording a game-high 12 points, while Moore added in 11 of his own. Brenden Loucks followed with eight points. The team will now await Sectional seeding, which begins this weekend, as their regular season draws to a close.

On the other side, Malachi DeGolyer dropped a team-high 11 points, including a trio of three-pointers. James Adenuga also sank three treys, for nine points to further Houghton Academy’s (4-11) cause.

The Panthers will close out their regular season on Thursday in one final regular season home game, hosting Andover/Whitesville in a 6 p.m. battle.

Friendship/Scio 11 11 7 11 – 40

Houghton Academy 0 9 10 9 – 28

FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Jacob Golden 3 6-8 12, Brenden Loucks 2 4-7 8, Ethan Davenport 2 0-0 4, Taylor Moore 4 0-0 11, Lazar Bulajic 1 3-4 5. Totals:
HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Hugo Huang 2 2-2 6, Chris Habecker 1 0-0 2, Malachi DeGolyer 4 0-0 11, James Adenuga 3 0-0 9. Totals: 10 2-2 28.

3-point goals: F/S 3 (Moore), HA 6 (DeGolyer 3, Adenuga 3).
Total Fouls: F/S 8, HA 14. Fouled out: DeGolyer (HA).

Bolivar-Richburg 68, Hinsdale 19

HINSDALE — The Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg wasted no time making their presence known on Tuesday, as they traveled over the road to visit Hinsdale and started their game with a massive bang, recording their biggest stand of offense while holding the host Bobcats to just a single field goal, as they ended their regular season with four wins in their last six games with a 68-19 road win.

The Wolverines (13-6) struck while the iron was hot right away in the first quarter, knocking down an enormous 26-point first quarter that essentially saw them set the tone immediately against the Bobcats, with every scorer reaching the scorebook in some way.

Normally a defensive stalwart on one end of the floor, David Baldwin was Bolivar-Richburg’s leading go-getter on the attack, as he posted a game-high 17 points down low. Landon Danaher chipped in with 12 additional points, while Reiss Gaines contributed nine. Evan Pinney and Cam MacDonell each had eight additional points.

Hinsdale (1-15) was paced by Cody Barton, and his team-leading seven points. Brad Bergstrom knocked down a pair of threes, for six points.

Both teams will now await Sectional seedings, which will begin this upcoming weekend.

“It’s goofy, but I’m looking at the fact that we have possibly 10 days off,” said Wolverines coach Jeff Margeson. “We’re going to look at focusing on offensive and defensive individual skills for the rest of the week, and then bring it together with some team focus. It’s a mini-rebuild in a way to bring things back together to where it should be, and I’ve been really happy with our offense these past two weeks. Defensively, we have to be more physical. We have to get ready for this Northern Rochester-like play, where they just let it go. You have to make sure everything’s clicking before we get ready to go.”

Bolivar-Richburg 26 9 21 12 – 68

Hinsdale 2 4 6 7 – 19

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Landon Danaher 4 3-4 12, Wyatt Karnuth 3 0-2 6, Parker Worth 0 1-3 1, Ian Unfus 1 0-0 2, Jacopo Canepa 1 0-2 3, Jarod Taft 1 0-0 2, David Baldwin 7 3-7 17, Reiss Gaines 4 1-2 9, Evan Pinney 3 0-0 8, Cam MacDonell 4 0-0 8. Totals: 25 8-15 68.
HINSDALE: Sam Cashimere 1 0-0 2, Parker Keenan 0 1-2 1, Henry Schwartz 1 1-1 3, Brad Bergstrom 2 0-0 6, Cody Barton 2 3-4 7. Totals: 6 5-7 19.
3-point goals: B-R 4 (Pinney 2, Danaher, Canepa), Hinsdale 2 (Bergstrom).
Total Fouls: B-R 6, Hinsdale 17. Fouled out: E. Cashimere (HIN).