Wednesday Roundup: Lady Eagles roll behind school record-breaking performance from Cole in 66-47 win over Finney; Rebels volleyball capture 2nd County Title in 3 seasons in sweep of Ark/Can

Written By Chris Brooks

FILLMORE — Holding the State’s highest honor in Class D at this stage of the game, it can be something that make or break you. For the Lady Eagles of Fillmore, it’s something that they use for motivation to keep their wheels churning, and their engines roaring.

As the team begins to come down the homestretch a mere two weeks away from Sectionals, they look to provide a strong finish on top of what has been yet another dominant season on the hardwood. It began with a visit from C.G. Finney on Wednesday, and one of, if not, Section V’s leading scorers in Jahniya Johnson, who averages in the neighborhood of 30 points a game.

The task at hand for the Lady Eagles on defense, was to find a way to slow down their leading sharpshooter. As for their opposition, the same exact thing.

In perhaps one of the loudest responses to the Lady Falcons, it would soon shape into the biggest night of her life. Quite simply — Emma Cole was a force to be reckoned with.

Fillmore’s main weapon in the arsenal could not be denied not only on defense, but on the attack, as the Senior gave her team the best of both worlds throughout the night by recording a career-high 41 points to pair with a whopping 20 rebounds and six blocks to complete perhaps the biggest double-double yet to propel the hosts toward a 66-47 victory inside The Rock.

“It’s no secret that she’s our main weapon,” Lady Eagles coach Tom Parks said of Cole. “We’re going to pump the ball inside to her until a team tries to stop us, and Finney could not find the answer for her. We’ve shown in other games where if they want to take her away from the equation, we can go elsewhere with it. We’re pretty diverse in that aspect. Feeding her the ball yielded some amazing results, and much more from her tonight.”

The 41-point performance by Cole is one that officially re-wrote the school’s history books for girls basketball, becoming the new record holder after overtaking Melissa Thomas, who scored 34 points in a game for the Lady Eagles back in 1983.

A near 40-year old record, now shattered after a game Cole won’t forget anytime soon.

Parks says it was a legendary performance that he was very fortunate to have witnessed across all his years coaching Lady Eagles basketball.

“I’m so proud of Emma and the growth as a player over the years, and this being her Senior year, to do something like this where you score 41 points, 20 rebounds. It’s the most impressive performance that I’ve been a part of. Not only from an offensive standpoint, but how she defends well. I wasn’t aware of the school record at first, but this was the kind of game where we needed her to be her. This was a special night for her, and the team.”

How did it begin? The Lady Eagles (17-0) had to outlast C.G. Finney through the majority of the opening half, trading blow after blow with the Lady Falcons with each team taking a share of a lead that would reach as much as four in the opening quarter.

It would end with Fillmore taking the lead back with 10 of the frame’s last 12 points to grab the four-point lead themselves with Cole’s fiery blaze beginning to heat up.

The Lady Falcons gave Fillmore everything they could handle all game, from their press and the pressure that it released. But as vigilant and patient as the Lady Eagles are, they were able to gain the control needed to end the opening half strong, scoring the last eight points after a 23-21 back-and-forth lead was gathered, with Cole and Jadyn Mucher both continuing to lay down the bulk of the brickwork on offense.

“Finney’s a good team, they play fast and have an absolutely dynamic player in Johnson,” said Parks. “We knew we were going to have to work hard to limit her. They certainly did a lot with their press, their pressure but I thought we did tremendously well with it. We’ve been working towards that, and the girls showed great composure. To come out with a win after handling that, we’re happy.”

Parks added on the team’s first half experience with the Lady Falcons, saying “Finney’s good, they’re a double-digit win team for a reason. They weren’t really a familiar foe, but it was more of a feeling-out process throughout the first half. We were going punch for punch with them, and they were matching what we were doing, and vice versa. Once we got a fell for the game, and they knew what they were up against, they played more freely in the second half.”

Freely it was.

The response by the Lady Eagles was superb after a 15-9 second quarter run that helped establish a 31-21 lead at the break, as it created a double-digit cushion against the Lady Falcons that never found its way back down below 10 points. Cole continued her incredibly dominant showings of offense and defense, recording 23 of her 41 points in the final 16 minutes while commanding the glass on the opposite end.

That was having already set a massive tone with 18 of the team’s 31 points down low to end the half.

After an 19-11 run across the third quarter in their return to the floor, it would push Fillmore’s lead out close to 20, as they spent the final eight minute period finishing the job at hand, officially pulling away out of C.G. Finney’s reach with 11 of the first 13 points in the fourth. That run through the first few minutes included the quarter’s first seven points.

That would put a bow on what was a historic performance for the Lady Eagles Senior, and her surrounding teammates.

Finishing behind Cole was Mucher, who tallied 14 additional points to pair with 10 rebounds of her own and four assists to complete the team’s second double-double. Preslee Miller tallied nine points to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists — one board shy of a double-double herself.

Helping the special teams cause was Hope Russell, who dished out six helpers to go with six steals.

The Lady Eagles will hit the road this Friday night, weather permitting, as they look to continue going full steam ahead into the Sectional playoffs with a visit in store against red hot Genesee Valley/Belfast — winners of 10 of their last 11 games.

“It’s good to have games like this tonight. It made it fun to coach and watch,” Parks said. “I’m definitely prepared for a great game with GV/Belfast coming up. They have a great team over there, and they have been playing extremely well lately. They’re very well-balanced on the floor, and I’m looking forward to what should be a really quality, Sectional-like battle between both teams.”

Tip-off is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start inside the Jungle, in Belmont.

C.G. Finney 12 9 11 15 – 47

Fillmore 16 15 19 16 – 66

FINNEY: Kiara Van Der Jagt 1 1-2 3, Faith Pasquantonio 1 0-0 2, Eva Blazynski 6 0-1 13, Jahniya Johnson 11 3-5 26, Brooke Viencek 1 0-0 3. Totals: 21 4-8 47.

FILLMORE: Hope Russell 1 0-0 2, Jadyn Mucher 4 5-8 14, Emma Cole 19 3-5 41, Preslee Miller 4 1-2 9. Totals: 28 9-15 66.

3-point goals: Finney 3 (Blazynski, Johnson, Viencek).
Total Fouls: Finney 14, Fillmore 10. Fouled out: None.

Andover/Whitesville 62, Hammondsport 32

WHITESVILLE — It was a first quarter that saw the visiting Hammondsport Lady Lakers put host Andover/Whitesville on their toes early on, taking the early lead after the quarter.

But despite some slow going, Andover/Whitesville made sure they shook it off in a hurry with their biggest stand of the evening, holding the Lady Lakers to just seven points to pull ahead, using the newly-gained momentum to shift into the second half with their strongest finish of them all to pull away towards a 62-32 home victory, Wednesday evening.

“Hammondsport came out and really put us on our heels with their speed in the first quarter,” said Andover/Whitesville co-coach Jake Bannerman. “We made a couple of adjustments that the girls really committed to, and played the most complete three quarters of basketball we have played so far. It was a really great effort across the board from the team. It was as solid of a team win that you could ask for.”

The opening quarter saw a punch-for-punch battle between Hammondsport’s Hannah Hoerter and Andover/Whitesville’s Vanessa Hall, as the two sharpshooters exchanged pleasantries, with Hoerter garnering eight of the team’s 12 points, while Hall recorded all seven for the hosts in the midst of what was a 12-7 lead for the visitors in black and purple after time expired.

Despite the early deficit, Andover/Whitesville (12-3) stepped up in a big way behind Hall’s leadership, as she continued her torrid start with the bulk of team’s points in the midst of their 21-7 half-ending jaunt of the Lady Lakers, assisted by a pair of threes from Serena Ainsworth, and inside buckets from Maria Riloba and Gabbi Hall helping fuel the fire for a 28-19 lead at the break.

Then, a conversation ensued in the locker room on branching it out. The result — a strong fourth quarter finish to pull away. After coming out with another haymaker in the third quarter to eclipse their advantage over the double-digit plateau, Andover/Whitesville’s defense kicked into gear by holding Hammondsport to just one more shot from the field to close out the game on a tremendous 17-2 run to earn the victory.

“We had a nine-point lead at the half, and we talked about how we need to do a better job of extending the lead, and not letting the other team back into it. The girls definitely did that in the second half, and a whole lot more. I’m very proud of their ability to move the ball, get the open shot when it was available, and they knocked it down.”

Hall would lead all scorers on the floor with a game-high 27 points, including a 6-for-9 outing at the charity stripe. Riloba would follow with her strong inside presence for Andover/Whitesville, netting 14 points, while Ainsworth settled on her pair of second quarter three-pointers, for six points.

With school being cancelled today due to the winter storm, Andover/Whitesville will now have the weekend off to prepare for another home game on Tuesday, hosting Cuba-Rushford in a 7:30 p.m. battle in Andover.

Hammondsport 12 7 11 2 – 32

Andover/Whitesville 7 21 17 17 – 62

HAMMONDSPORT: Maggie Durand 1 0-0 2, LaZell Locey 2 0-0 4, Anna Hunt 1 0-0 2, Danica Dresser 1 0-0 3, Hannah Hoerter 5 0-0 10, Rorie Whitcomb 4 2-2 11. Totals: 14 2-2 30.
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Gabbi Hall 1 0-0 2, Vanessa Hall 10 6-9 27, Graci Lewis-Ellison 1 0-0 2, Serena Ainsworth 2 0-0 6, Rachel Jackson 2 0-0 5, Addison Morgan 1 0-0 2, Maria Riloba 7 0-0 14, Brynn Scholl 1 2-2 4. Totals: 25 8-11 62.

3-point goals: Hammondsport 2 (Dresser, Whitcomb), A/W 4 (Ainsworth 2, V. Hall, Jackson).
Total Fouls: Hammondsport 14, A/W 5. Fouled out: None.

Friendship/Scio 22, Hinsdale 17

HINSDALE — Through nearly the entire contest, both Friendship/Scio and Hinsdale were in a dead heat across a low-scoring affair.

In such a game, points can become a rare commodity. When the fourth quarter came, Friendship/Scio made sure they could grab all they could muster during the game-changing opportunity, as they scored seven of the last eight points to pull ahead of host Hinsdale and towards a 22-17 road win on Wednesday.

Both teams provided a balanced effort across the board on offense, but it was Sophie Bolzan that led all scorers to help pace Friendship/Scio’s (6-9) win over the road with a game-high nine points. Kadence Donohue pitched in the efforts with five points, while Morghyn Ross had four.

For the Lady Bobcats (0-13), Jaylee Jimerson led the way with a team-high seven points, while Fran Childs chipped in four for the hosts who managed to take a 12-8 lead going into the break after scoring eight of the 12 points in the second quarter. With schools being cancelled across the area due to the snow storm, Hinsdale will now host Archbishop Walsh after the weekend on Tuesday, beginning at 6 p.m.

If weather permits on Friday, Friendship/Scio will look to keep their winning ways moving on a trip to Lima Christian in a 7:30 p.m. battle with the host Lady Saints.

Friendship/Scio 4 4 7 7 – 22

Hinsdale 4 8 4 1 – 17

FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Claire Calhoun 1 0-0 2, Sophie Bolzan 4 1-2 9, Kadence Donohue 1 3-4 5, Melana Davenport 1 0-0 2, Morghyn Ross 2 0-0 4. Totals: 9 4-6 22.

HINSDALE: Fran Childs 2 0-2 4, Jaylee Jimerson 3 1-4 7, Hannah Sutton 1 0-0 2, Mikayla Miller 1 0-0 2, Kyla Jozwiak 0 0-2 0, Sarah Easterly 1 0-0 2. Totals: 8 1-8 17.
Total Fouls: F/S 13, Hinsdale 11. Fouled out: None.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Avoca/Prattsburgh 96, Bolivar-Richburg 62 (Story by John Anderson/Wellsville Sun)

AVOCA — There does not seem to be a game where the Avoca/Prattsburgh boys basketball team does not have the height advantage. Wednesday night was another one of those nights with 10-4 Bolivar-Richburg coming to town — a team that has only lost to Canisteo-Greenwood and Wellsville.

But the relentless defense of Avoca/Prattsburgh coupled with transition offense and a collection of outstanding athletes, the combined unit remained undefeated on the season, as the State’s top-ranked Class D school improved to 16-0 on the season with a 96-62 home win.

“We knew exactly what they were, and at times in those small periods of time, we could play with them," said Bolivar-Richburg coach Jeff Margeson. "If you can get athletes, the next rung on the ladder is basketball players. Watching them, they have seven quality players and even the bench guys come out and do the same exact thing as them.

"That's the difference, and that's why they end up perhaps winning the whole thing," Margeson continued. "They know what to do, how to attack, they're up and down the floor. I honestly don't really see a team that can really stop them.”


The game was originally part of the Allegany County Sheriff Deputy Association's Dan Barkley Showcase, which was canceled in January because of the anticipated large crowds packing a gym for an entire day. The Sheriff's Department is still raising money for scholarships for students in Allegany and Steuben counties despite the tournaments being canceled for another year.

If there was a tournament, Avoca/Prattsburgh sophomore Macoy Putman would have been awarded the MVP for his triple-double. The star freshman sharpshooter had a game-high 25 points (two three-pointers) with 13 assists and 11 steals. He also had four rebounds, and two impressive blocked shots.

Avoca/Prattsburgh won the Section V title last season going 8-0 during the season and 11-0 overall as the State tournament was canceled just before they were leaving for a game. For kids on the Varsity squad, the past two seasons as a merged sports program, they are 27-0.

For the Avoca students, they have won 51 straight games over three years.

After the game, Avoca/Prattsburgh Athletic Director Cody Delles spoke to the crowd, announced the 2020-2021 team members and then the Sectional banner was unveiled. The teams play half of their games at each school and Wednesday was in Avoca.

"Last year's winter season was far from traditional. We had a late start to the season and we played half the games we traditionally play and we had to limit our spectators," Delles said. "Our boys overcame a tremendous amount of adversity through all of that. They reached the ultimate pinnacle of success that was available to them, which was a Sectional title."

Also having big nights for Avoca/Prattsburgh coach Brian Putnam's team were senior Pacey Hopkins who had 19 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and five assists. Junior Sawyer Devoe scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had four assists while junior Haden Abbott had 16 points and five steals.

Bolivar-Richburg's Cam MacDonell played sparingly coming off a leg injury which limited his ability to dominate the boards, but he was still able to provide an offensive presence for the visitors in black and red, netting 10 points as the team continues to get into post-season shape for a Sectional run in Class C3.

Senior guard Landon Danaher, who just went over 1,000 career points, kept the Wolverines (10-5) in the game until midway through the fourth quarter. Each time it looked like Avoca/Prattsburgh would extend the lead to 30, Danaher, who finished with a team-high 18 points, came up with a big bucket or broke the press. Bolivar-Richburg cut the lead to 16 in the fourth, but Avoca/Prattsburgh went on a tear, collecting a 28-14 outscoring.

David Baldwin had a strong game inside for the Wolverines. Normally a defensive specialist, Baldwin scored 15 points on the scrappy Avoca/Prattsburgh defense, with most of his points on solid post moves. Aydin Sisson had 11 to add in, while another stalwart on the defense, Wyatt Karnuth added eight of his own.


“I was proud of how our guys played. In the locker room afterwards, I told them 'when I said to dial it up, this is exactly the kind of game that I want them to build off of. It's neat to see it happen, you just don't want it to happen to you.' They're not really over-imposing their will when you're seeing them play," Margeson said. "With the snow day tomorrow, I told them to wipe the board clean and then we go back to work with Cuba-Rushford and Fillmore this weekend. Those are some big points lying on the table for us to grab.”

The Wolverines, if weather permits, will look to bounce back on the mend Friday night with a road trip to the Wighthouse, visiting the Cuba-Rushford Rebels in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

Bolivar-Richburg 20 13 15 14 – 62

Avoca/Prattsburgh 26 24 18 28 – 96

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Aydin Sisson 4 1-1 11, Landon Danaher 7 2-3 18, Wyatt Karnuth 4 0-0 8, David Baldwin 7 1-1 15, Cam MacDonell 5 0-0 10. Totals: 27 4-5 62.
AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH: Sawyer DeVoe 6 3-5 15, Evan Campbell 1 0-0 2, Macoy Putnam 10 3-3 25, Tucker Gerych 2 1-3 5, Caleb Johnson 2 0-0 5, Hayden Abbott 7 0-1 16, Aiden Schlesing 2 0-0 5, Pacey Hopkins 8 2-3 19, Jamel Crowder 1 0-0 2, Jamie Reagan 1 0-0 2. Totals: 40 9-15 96.

3-point goals: B-R 4 (Sisson 2, Danaher 2), A/P 7 (Putnam 2, Abbott 2, Johnson, Schlesing, Hopkins).
Total Fouls: B-R 14, A/P 8. Fouled out: None.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Rebels capture 2nd County title in three seasons with sweep of Ark/Can

CUBA — It has been a season to remember for the Cuba-Rushford boys volleyball squad. 14 games on their schedule, and 14 wins in the column later, the Rebels were one win away from claiming their stake on an undefeated season.

All that was left, was one more win against a well-established rival they have come to know well — Arkport/Canaseraga.

On Wednesday, to cap off an incredible run through their 2021-22 campaign, they made sure they provided their most dominant game of the season, as they rolled their way toward victory in sweeping fashion to claim their second Allegany County Championship in the last three years in what was a 25-11, 25-21, 25-10 decision over the visiting second-seeded Wolves.

“Arkport has been a huge rival of ours this year, and they are a very good volleyball team,” said Rebels coach Nick Perillo. “They never make it easy, and they often keep the ball in play when you swear it’s already on the ground. However, our team saved their only complete performance of the year for this game. Every player played their heart out, and contributed to the big win. I am so proud of the boys to finish the season undefeated.”

In perhaps their most complete game of the season, the Rebels (15-0) saw Nate Cole rise to the top of the stat sheet with a game-high seven kills to pair with five blocks and two helpers. Logan Lewis contributed five kills, two aces and an assist.

Up front, setter Allen Fuller handed out a whopping 15 assists to pair with his four additional kills.

The Rebels have officially concluded a storybook season with their second Allegany County title in three years behind an undefeated 15-0 record.

Chris Brooks
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Tuesday Roundup: Wolverines head into Sectionals with full head of steam, coast past Addison; Rebels, Ark/Can post home triumphs to meet for County’s Volleyball title