Monday Basketball: Rebels rally back, but see 8-game win streak snapped by C-G after fending off late pressure; B-R builds momentum for Wednesday’s showdown vs. C-R with big win over Coudy

[PHOTOS BY STEVE HARRISON/HORNELL SUN]

CANISTEO — Cuba-Rushford and Canisteo-Greenwood have already come together for an outstanding first of two chapters this season on the hardwood. The first in Cuba, where the Rebels rallied from behind to complete a 26-11 fourth quarter run against the Redskins to earn the victory in the Wighthouse.

Advance a month and a half in time, Monday’s finale was no different.

Nearly the same start was provisioned by Canisteo-Greenwood to open the night, despite a ton of back-and-forth battling, as the hosts took complete advantage of the rebounding on both sides of the floor to assume the driver’s seat. The Rebels would then find themselves in a similar position as before in their last meeting with the Redskins.

But this time, they would be denied a chance to come back.

Canisteo-Greenwood managed to keep one foot ahead of Cuba-Rushford in the last eight minutes of play, holding the advantage as tightly as possible while attempting to fend off another late Rebels rally in the final stages. But the Redskins defense this time, would successfully ward it off to capture a massive victory to split the season series in half, ending an eight-game win streak belonging to their opposition in the process with a 38-37 edging.

“Canisteo came out with tons of energy and hammered us on the boards,” Rebels coach Pat Wight said. “We got down by as much as 10, but we found a way to battle back. We just couldn’t find that last bucket in the end that we needed. It was one of those grindy dogfights that we had to battle through, but when it came down to make that one last play, they had it.”

After a defensive first quarter battle between both squads to begin the night, Canisteo-Greenwood would then start to take charge of everything they would encounter in the first half’s last eight minute session, creating multiple opportunities off several rebounds off the glass, offensively and defensively. As a result, the Redskins would hold a lead by as much as 10 before the Rebels (12-2) were able to work their way back from behind to keep the game within reach — a 19-15 lead at the break.

The Rebels would then see an uptick in their offense in the second half, as Jacob Smith took command with seven of the team’s 14 points coming from within the frame to record a narrow third quarter jaunt of Canisteo-Greenwood to take a one-point lead going into the last eight minutes.

In the fourth quarter, it was anyone’s game. For Cuba-Rushford, they looked to and ultimately, earned some clutch help from the outer perimeter, as Smith and Finn Ricketts both landed a pair of threes to help mount a rally against the Redskins. But the hosts in white and red would remain vigilant by fending off their last attempt to jump back into the game, securing a massive one-point win over Allegany County’s hottest team to freeze them in place.

Smith was Cuba-Rushford’s leading scorer with a game-high 18 points. Behind him was Ricketts, who had five points. Jack Frank chipped in with four points.

Up next: a massive County showdown with a longtime nemesis, as Cuba-Rushford stays out on the road for the first of two colossal clashes with the 11-2 Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Cuba-Rushford 5 10 14 8 – 37

Canisteo-Greenwood 7 12 9 10 – 38

CUBA-RUSHFORD: Jacob Smith 7 1-2 18, Kaden Bell 1 0-0 2, Luke Brooks 1 0-0 2, Jack Frank 2 0-1 4, Hunter Scott 1 0-0 3, Finn Ricketts 2 0-0 5, Peyton Joy 1 1-2 3. Totals: 15 2-5 37.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Aiden Stewart 2 0-1 4, Thomas Sirianni 3 0-0 6, Carson Chaffee 6 1-2 13, JJ Reese 5 1-4 11, Sage Klees 1 0-2 2, Noah Warriner 1 0-2 2. Totals: 18 2-11 38.

3-point goals: C-R 5 (Smith 3, Scott, Ricketts).
Total Fouls: C-R 12, C-G 10. Fouled out: Stewart (C-G).

Bolivar-Richburg 67, Coudersport 42

BOLIVAR — With a visit from their archrival Cuba-Rushford upon the horizon, Monday night presented a big opportunity for the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg to enter the enormous County showdown at full speed.

The Wolverines would provide a strong start against the visiting Coudersport Falcons that would become whittled away over time, but across all four quarters of play, they would remain one step ahead every time.

Behind the guidance of big playmakers like Aydin Sisson, Landon Barkley and Evan Sisson, Bolivar-Richburg established a double-digit lead at the break, keeping the pace at its highest point while the defense in turn, buckled in to deliver a magnificent finish to the night by holding the Falcons to just eight fourth quarter points. As a result, it allowed them to stroll away with the lead in hand, as the Wolverines galloped their way towards a 67-42 home win.

“Evan shut down his baseline and really got things going with his offense tonight. I’m really proud of how he’s been able to come into his own to help us out quite a bit,” said Wolverines coach Justin Thomas. “We came out and scored a couple of quick buckets to keep the pace in the second half, and then we clamped it down with our defense in the fourth. It allowed us to see some guys come off the bench to help contribute to the cause in another great team win we were able to put together.”

Bolivar-Richburg (11-2) put the first quarter to good use to open the festivities with Coudersport, as they ignited an early 10-2 run, seven of those points coming right in a row, against the Falcons to grab the upper hand. The run would help set a tone, but one that the visitors nearly matched with some late resiliency towards the end the frame, as they managed to close the gap down to as little as five in the waning seconds.

The bright beginning to their game shifted into the second quarter, where the Wolverines were able to pounce once more in the first two minutes with six straight points off the hop to maintain the pace of play. The scoreless run would spark a lead for the hosts by as much as 14 over Coudersport, one that they would carry into the break on an electric note behind back-to-back three-pointers by Evan Pinney and Aydin Sisson to close it out.

All of the momentum that Bolivar-Richburg had built would be held intact, as the team remained resilient in the third quarter, while the defense provided its strongest eight minute frame — an eight-point offensive attack produced by the Falcons in what was a 16-8 game-ending run for the Wolverines, all but sealing the big home win to prepare for Wednesday’s epic showdown.

Sisson led all scorers for the Wolverines with a team-high 19 points. Following behind was Pinney and his 17 points, while Landon Barkley chipped in with 13 points to pair with five assists and five steals on special teams. Adding help was David Baldwin and Waide Karnuth, both garnering strong rebounding games underneath the glass, each grabbing eight rebounds.

On Wednesday, Bolivar-Richburg will return to their home floor for perhaps their biggest game thus far this year, as they prepare to welcome in their longtime archrival: the 12-2 Cuba-Rushford Rebels for the first of two epic showdowns for County League supremacy. Tip-off is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Coudersport 11 13 10 8 – 42

Bolivar-Richburg 19 18 14 16 – 67

COUDERSPORT: Mason Roessner 4 2-2 12, Micah Batson 1 0-0 2, Wyatt Skillman 1 0-0 3, Reilly Streich 7 4-7 19, Dylan Howard 3 0-0 6. Totals: 16 6-9 42.
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Aydin Sisson 9 0-2 19, Cayden Gaines 1 0-0 2, Landon Barkley 5 3-3 13, David Abdo 2 0-0 4, Trevor Pforter 1 0-0 2, Caden Giardini 1 0-0 2, David Baldwin 4 0-0 8, Evan Pinney 7 0-0 17. Totals: 30 3-5 67.

3-point goals: Coudersport 4 (Roessner 2, Stillman, Streich), B-R 4 (Pinney 3, Sisson).
Total Fouls: Coudersport 5, B-R 9. Fouled out: None.

Jasper-Troupsburg 67, Genesee Valley/Belfast 41

GREENWOOD — Coming away triumphant was the Wildcats of Jasper-Troupsburg, who grabbed their 10th winning edge in the last 11 games, successfully rebounding after last week’s defeat to the hands of Avoca/Prattsburgh with a 67-41 home win over visiting Genesee Valley/Belfast, in Greenwood.

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

Genesee Valley/Belfast (5-8) will now get set to take on Friendship/Scio back home on Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. from within the Jungle in Belmont.

Hinsdale 48, Houghton Academy 24

HINSDALE — The Bobcats of Hinsdale recorded two outstanding starts to their game on Monday, as they started their new week of action on the biggest of footsteps — their first win of the season, using an early first half lead and building on it with two big second half runs to pull out of reach of visiting Houghton Academy and towards a 48-24 doubling-up of the Panthers.

It began for the Bobcats (1-13) out of the gate in the first quarter, scooting off on a quick 13-3 lead paced behind a solid presence from three-point range — two from the hand of Tyler Richards, and the last from Henry Schwartz. Houghton Academy would trim the deficit down to eight before the first half’s conclusion behind some three-point magic of their own, with Josh Davidson and James Adenuga each launching one to lead the way.

But the momentum was halted in the second half, as the Bobcats picked up where they left off from their first quarter start to apply one final breakaway from the Panthers (1-9) with a 16-7 third quarter run, led by two more Richards three-pointers, giving them all the room they needed to grab their very first win this season. Richards would finish with a game-high 25 points for the hosts.

Following behind him was Cody Barton, who had 14 points of his own, while Schwartz, Damion Brown and Brad Bergstrom all followed with a three- point bucket to round off.

For the Panthers, Adenuga led all scorers with 13 team-high points. Davidson finished with five points. The team will return to action back on the road further west on Wednesday, visiting Archbishop Walsh.

Hinsdale is back on the road themselves later this week, as they pay a visit to Bolivar-Richburg for a 7:30 p.m. start on Friday.

Houghton Academy 3 10 7 4 – 24

Hinsdale 13 8 16 11 – 48

HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Jack Prentice 0 2-6 2, Josh Davidson 1 2-2 5, James Adenuga 5 0-0 13, Marco Zanini 2 0-0 4. Totals: 8 4-8 24.
HINSDALE: Damion Brown 1 0-0 3, Brad Bergstrom 1 0-0 3, Henry Schwartz 1 0-0 3, Cody Barton 5 3-7 14, Tyler Richards 10 2-2 25. Totals: 18 5-9 48.

3-point goals: HA 4 (Adenuga 3, Davidson), Hinsdale 9 (Richards 5, Brown, Bergstrom, Schwartz, Barton).
Total Fouls: HA 9, Hinsdale 11. Fouled out: None.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Andover/Whitesville 68, Friendship/Scio 45

SCIO — There’s no better time to be playing some of your best basketball of the season, than the basketball Friendship/Scio has been playing as of late. Winners in seven of their last eight games and with a tough gauntlet ahead to face beginning on Monday, Friendship/Scio will need every gust of wind to keep the propellers to their wild helicopter ride spinning.

It began with a visit from defending Class D2 champion Andover/Whitesville in Scio, and through the majority of time, the hosts in white and purple went stride for stride along with them. They would get to within four of their opposition at one point, but in the last eight minutes of the night, a chance to break free was presented.

Andover/Whitesville took it, and then some.

Following Vanessa Hall’s lead were clutch contributions by Lexy Palmatier, Gabby Terhune and Kennedy Bledsoe for the visitors in purple, as the team sewed together a massive 22-point big finish against Friendship/Scio, allowing them to pull away towards victory in a massive County League and Class D2 clash by a 68-45 count.

“The fourth quarter fell apart on us. It was a very good, exciting game through the first half and into the third quarter,” Friendship/Scio coach Ashleigh Lewis said. “We tied it up at least once or twice after going down early in the game, and we may have had the lead at one point. It was some great basketball, but then Vanessa started to heat up with some solid contributors behind her to help the cause late in the fourth. Credit to them, we just couldn’t put the second half together. This might have been a rough one, but we are competing fiercely.”

Andover/Whitesville (9-3) would garner the game’s first edge through the opening quarter, but it was soon narrowed down by Friendship/Scio’s bounce back to close out the half, posting their biggest frame of offense to trim the deficit from seven down to four going into the locker room.

It would remain a close battle through the third quarter with Andover/Whitesville still maintaining their lead despite Friendship/Scio’s attempts at closing the gap, but in the last eight minutes, they would find all the room they needed to breakaway from their grasp, scoring a massive 22-9 run led by Hall’s emergence, along with some clutch baskets along the way in the midst of their balanced attack, claiming the victory at game’s end.

Hall led all scorers on the floor with a game-high 27 points for Andover/Whitesville. Following was Lexy Palmatier, who posted 10 points of her own. Kennedy Bledsoe and Graci Lewis-Ellison each followed with eight.

Nevaeh Ross fueled the Friendship/Scio offense behind 23 team-high points to pair with eight rebounds and four assists. Kadence Donohue chipped in with seven points to couple with seven rebounds, while Logan Roberts had five points.

Both teams are back in action tonight, as Andover/Whitesville continues their road trip with a 7:30 p.m. visit to Bolivar-Richburg, while Friendship/Scio remains at home to welcome in Hammondsport.

Andover/Whitesville 16 13 17 22 – 68

Friendship/Scio 9 16 11 9 – 45

ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Lexy Palmatier 4 1-1 10, Vanessa Hall 12 3-8 27, Graci Lewis-Ellison 4 0-0 8, Gabby Terhune 3 0-0 7, Zoe Baert 3 1-3 7, Gabbi Hall 1 0-0 2, Kennedy Bledsoe 3 0-0 8. Totals: 31 5-12 68.
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Nevaeh Ross 9 5-7 23, Logan Roberts 2 0-0 5, Kadence Donohue 3 0-0 7, Morghyn Ross 1 0-2 2, Lexi Crossley 2 0-0 4, Jenn Dickens 0 2-4 2, Kiara Grover 0 2-4 2. Totals: 17 8-17 45.

3-point goals: A/W 4 (Bledsoe 2, Palmatier, Terhune), F/S 2 (Roberts, Donohue).
Total Fouls: A/W 17, F/S 15. Fouled out: Bledsoe (A/W).

Campbell-Savona 63, Bolivar-Richburg 27

CAMPBELL — Across the first half, the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg stuck right within reach of host Campbell-Savona, despite the Lady Panthers having the upper hand through the majority of time.

But that distance grew larger and larger by the time the second half came around, as Campbell-Savona went on a shape-shifting run that saw their defense hold Bolivar-Richburg to just four points — the lowest stand of the game, pulling away towards victory to close out the night, en route to a 63-27 home win on Monday.

Pinned up against a balanced offense of the Lady Panthers through the first quarter, the Lady Wolverines (4-7) looked to Caitlyn Steiner and Malayna Ayers to front an attack of their own to respond, as the two scorers combined for all 10 of the team’s points from within the frame. The hosts would build a strong finish to end the first half on, branching their lead out toward a 30-17 advantage entering the break.

The boost that the first half finish provided for the Lady Panthers ultimately would carry over into the last set of 16 minutes, as the hosts capitalized on all fronts, outscoring the Lady Wolverines by a 33-13 count, including a 13-4 run in the third quarter that saw them breakaway from their grasp permanently to secure the win.

Steiner would lead all scorers for Bolivar-Richburg with nine points. Raegan Giardini added in eight points, while Carmen Crowley had six.

The Lady Wolverines are back home tonight, hosting Andover/Whitesville in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

Bolivar-Richburg 10 7 4 9 – 27

Campbell-Savona 18 12 13 20 – 63

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Raegan Giardini 4 0-0 8, Carmen Crowley 3 0-2 6, Malayna Ayers 2 0-0 4, Caitlyn Steiner 4 1-4 9. Totals: 13 1-6 27.
CAMPBELL-SAVONA: O. Zimar 1 2-2 4, Hollie DeMong 5 2-2 13, Ashlynn Stratton 3 2-2 9, Hannah DeMong 2 1-1 5, Karissa Champion 6 1-2 15, Jenna Machuga 4 0-0 9, Jalynn Machuga 4 0-0 8. Totals: 25 8-9 63.
3-point goals: C-S 5 (Champion 2, Hol. DeMong, Stratton, Machuga).
Total Fouls: B-R 10, C-S 7. Fouled out: None.

Mount Morris 51, Hinsdale 24

MOUNT MORRIS — The Lady Blue Devils of Mount Morris capitalized on all eight minutes the first quarter had to offer to start a brand new week on Monday, as they held visiting Hinsdale without a score in the midst of what was a 10-0 game-starting run, using it to set the tone on a 51-24 home victory.

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

Hinsdale (0-14) will continue their road swing on Thursday, visiting the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg at 7:30 p.m.