Saturday Roundup: Early first half run by Andover sets tone in road win at Whitesville; Lions top A-L in defensive battle, win seventh consecutive game

Written By Chris Brooks

WHITESVILLE — Andover’s two sharpshooters came out swinging for the Panthers in the opening quarter, Saturday afternoon. Although the host Blue Jays were able to gain some ground in the second half, all the noise Andover made in the first half of play was enough for satisfaction, as they used all the first portion of 16 minutes to set the tone immediately in their 47-31 road win in Whitesville.

Spencer Cook and Chris Walker went straight to work for the Panthers (5-2), accounting for eight straight points with Walker netting six of those points to begin the scoreless run. Whitesville was able to put a halt to it with their only basket of the quarter coming off a Justin Waters lay-in underneath. In all, it would total a 14-2 first quarter run for the Panthers which was sealed by a buzzer-beating jumper by Walker.

In the second quarter, the momentum carried over with seven of the first nine points going in Andover’s direction, with Cook leading the charge with a three straight down the middle of the arc. But the Blue Jays (3-5) would find their way back into the game with some help from Lucas Erdmann, who helped the team finish with seven of the last 12 points with one of his three total three-pointers in the contest coming right before the first half buzzer.

Cook would then find his stroke in the third quarter to help the Panthers put together their biggest outing of offense together, scoring nearly half of his game-high 17 points within the frame to increase their lead for good, ultimately securing the victory, which is their third in a row.

Finishing behind Cook in the Panthers, was Walker who recorded a 15-point, 16-rebound double-double. Kohler Niedermaier added in seven points down low, while Greg Reilly had four.

Whitesville was led by Erdmann, who sank his three-pointers to post 11 team-high points. CJ Estep provided eight points of his own, while Ian Middaugh and Colby Gaines each recorded four points for the Blue Jays, who will look to right the ship on the road Tuesday night with a 6 p.m. visit to Friendship.

Andover will look for their fourth straight win back out on the road Tuesday night, when they prepare to visit the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines in a 7:30 p.m. clash.

Andover 14 12 16 5 – 47

Whitesville 2 9 11 9 – 31

ANDOVER: Spencer Cook 8 0-3 17, Cormac Brown 0 1-2 1, Brody Carlin 1 0-0 3, Greg Reilly 2 0-1 4, Chris Walker 7 1-1 15, Kohler Niedermaier 3 1-3 7. Totals: 21 3-10 47.
WHITESVILLE: CJ Estep 2 4-6 8, Lucas Erdmann 4 0-2 11, Ian Middaugh 2 0-0 4, Colby Gaines 1 2-2 4, Justin Waters 1 0-0 2, Spencer Mattison 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 6-10 31.
3-point goals: Andover 2 (Cook, Carlin), Whitesville 3 (Erdmann).
Total Fouls: Andover 8, Whitesville 12. Fouled out: None.

Wellsville 37, Allegany-Limestone 26

WELLSVILLE — With one of the best teams in Section VI making a visit to the Lion’s Den on Saturday, Wellsville head coach Raymie Auman knew his team would have to put up one of their best efforts of the season to keep their hot streak going.

Defense was certainly the name of the game when the two formidable foes battled it out. The only question that remained was, whose defense would still be standing?

Wellsville made sure it was them, as they used a fiery start to the game led by Logan Dunbar and Liam McKinley across all facets, as the Lions collected their seventh straight victory over the visiting Gators by a 37-26 final count.

“This was a huge defensive battle,” said Auman. “I was proud our kids took this challenge on. 26 in a game against a team that good like Allegany-Limestone is, is impressive in itself. Stingy defense has certainly become our identity. We did a lot better handling the ball, but we could have done better. Logan had a nice game offensively tonight, and although it won’t show in the stats, Brayden (Delahunt) really anchored our defense, and did a great job keeping their second chance opportunities down.”

A 12-4 first quarter was fueled by the three-point show by both Dunbar and McKinley, as they both accounted for all 12 of the team’s points across the first eight minutes, including McKinley’s last three that came right as the buzzer sounded to give the Lions (7-1) an eight point lead over the Gators heading into the second.

The momentum remained in their favor, as Dunbar took charge down low for the hosts in white and orange with six more of his 12 first half points coming in the frame. He would finish with a game and season-high 22 points for the Lions.

In the third quarter, Wellsville went back to shifting their focus on defense, where they held Allegany-Limestone without a shot to be had in the first 3:55, up until a converted lay-in broke the drought. The dynamic duo of McKinley and Dunbar went back to work on the offensive end helping put the game away, using their inside game in the third before breaking back out to the outside one more time in the last eight minutes to put it on ice.

McKinley would finish with 13 points in all to help Wellsville’s cause behind Dunbar. Aidan Hart had the last two points to add on a basket down low.

Wellsville will now look for their eighth straight victory come Tuesday, when they get set to head out over the road to visit the Genesee Valley Jaguars in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

“Being a quick season, there really isn’t much time to focus on the past,” Auman said. “Things can turn quickly. We’ve got two tough games next week, which are really just our last two chances to get as good as we can to make a title run. Playing at Genesee Valley is always tough, but it will certainly bring another good challenge for us.”

Allegany-Limestone 4 7 6 9 – 26

Wellsville 12 8 8 9 – 37

ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE: Andrew Giardini 0 1-2 1, Tyler Curran 6 2-4 15, Anthony DeCapua 1 0-0 2, Hudson Kwiatkowski 0 0-2 0, Jayden Gustafson 1 0-0 2, Matt Giardini 1 0-0 3, Jake Brockel 1 0-0 3. Totals: 10 3-8 26.
WELLSVILLE: Sam Schmidt 0 0-2 0, Liam McKinley 5 0-0 13, Logan Dunbar 9 0-0 22, Aidan Hart 1 0-0 2, Brayden Delahunt 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15 0-4 37.
3-point goals: A-L 3 (Curran, M. Giardini, Brockel), Wellsville 7 (Dunbar 4, McKinley 3).
Total Fouls: A-L 10, Wellsville 12. Fouled out: None.

Scio 63, Friendship 40

SCIO — The Scio Tigers have completed the home-at-home sweep of the Friendship Golden Eagles back home on their hardwood on Saturday, as they rolled their way toward a 63-40 victory to pick up their fourth consecutive victory.

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

Scio (6-2) will go for five in a row back on their home hardwood Tuesday night, as they play host in a 6 p.m. contest against Andover. Friendship (0-7) will return home to welcome in Belfast for a 7:30 p.m. clash on Monday.

Franklinville 68, Hinsdale 25

FRANKLINVILLE — The Franklinville Panthers rolled their way toward victory on their home turf, as they coasted past the visiting Hinsdale Bobcats with a 68-25 victory on Saturday.

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

Hinsdale (1-6) will finish their home-at-home series with the Panthers back in Hinsdale, Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Wellsville 47, Olean 33

OLEAN — The Lady Lions built a lead right from the start. It was one that they never lost, keeping a double digit buffer zone applied on the Olean Lady Huskies over the road for much the game Saturday afternoon, as both Marley Adams from downtown and Kaylee Coleman’s continued rise to power inside helped Wellsville exit Olean victorious with a 47-33 win, avenging last year’s 47-42 loss to the Lady Huskies.

“I was really proud with how we played. Any time you go to Olean and come out with a win, is great,” said Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord. “The kids handled themselves really well, and we just took care of the ball and held a strong Olean team to 33 points on defense. They were a cohesive unit out there, and I don’t think we ever lost the lead. Every time Olean would make a run, we would come up with finishes ourselves on the other end.”

The number for the Lady Lions (6-2) was seven in the first half, as they held a seven-point lead over Olean after the first quarter before both teams provided an even showing through the second quarter to end the half. But in the second half, it started to get away from the Lady Huskies, as Wellsville tacked on a big third quarter doubling-up of the hosts by holding them to just six points again in the third, going off on a 12-6 jaunt to take a 37-24 lead heading into the last quarter.

The Wellsville lineup saw yet another balanced attack across the board pay dividends, with Marley Adams leading the charge with three big three-pointers to go with her 3-for-4 outing at the line, finishing with a team-high 12 points. Kaylee Coleman continues to emerge as both an offensive and defensive threat for the Lady Lions, as she came up with a 10-point effort to go with six rebounds, one that Alvord says that did not go unnoticed.

“Kaylee has been playing on fire these past couple of games for us,” she said. “She’s been playing the best basketball she’s been playing, and it all started with the game against Hornell last weekend. That was her breakout game. She’s been getting some tough defensive assignments and she’s done really well with those, she’s playing with confidence, finishing the plays on offense. She’s definitely earned that full 100 percent.”

Helping the cause for the Lady Lions offense is Emily Costello, who had eight points to add in with her three steals, while Jaylynn Mess and Jaelyn Knapp both had seven points, with Mess grabbing five rebounds in the process. Brooklyn Stisser rounded off the scoring with the last three points to go with four rebounds and one steal.

In the JV game prior to, the Lady Lions saw three different scorers eclipse double digits, including Natalie Adams having a scorching hot day from downtown in their 45-37 win over the Lady Huskies. Adams hit five three pointers as well as a pair of shots at the line to finish with 17 points. Makenna Dunbar added in 13 points, while Sarah Reitz had 10.

The Lady Lions will now return to action back on the road Monday night, as they prepare to go for their fourth straight win in a 6 p.m. battle with the Andover Lady Panthers.

Wellsville 13 12 12 10 – 47

Olean 6 12 6 9 – 33

WELLSVILLE: Marley Adams 3 3-4 12, Jaylynn Mess 2 3-4 7, Emily Costello 2 3-8 8, Jaelyn Knapp 2 2-2 7, Brooklyn Stisser 1 1-1 3, Kaylee Coleman 5 0-0 10. Totals: 15 12-19 47.
OLEAN: Chrissy Martin 2 1-2 5, Norah Sweitzer 2 0-2 6, Hayliegh Federowicz 2 1-4 5, Leah Williams 2 0-0 5, Micheyla Williams 4 4-6 12. Totals: 12 6-14 33.

3-point goals: Wellsville 5 (Adams 3, Costello, Knapp), Olean 3 (Sweitzer 2, L. Williams).
Total Fouls: Wellsville 14, Olean 14. Fouled out: Knapp (WLSV).

Bolivar-Richburg 30, Fillmore 23

FILLMORE — You’d have to flip the calendar all the way back to the 2016-17 season when the Fillmore Lady Eagles last fell victim in a series sweep against an opponent. The last team to do it - the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, coached by then-head coach Jeff McMahon in his final season.

Fast forward five years later, and Justin Thomas’ Lady Wolverines crew are back in the same position to do it again to the Lady Eagles after taking the first meeting on their home court in a closely-contested, low-scoring affair. This time around in Fillmore, a lot more was on the line. Try a chance at winning the Allegany County Division I Championship for the first time since that 2016-17 season.

A win would move them that much closer to making it happen. A very slow moving first quarter went by, but the Lady Wolverines were up for the task, as they would indeed provide the sweep of Fillmore, using their biggest stand of offense in the second quarter to their fullest advantage to take the lead and stay ahead for good, as Bolivar-Richburg slid past the Lady Eagles on the road with a 30-23 victory, Saturday afternoon.

“We just struggled to find a way to put points on the board. A big part of that are turnovers and really poor foul shooting,” said Lady Eagles coach Tom Parks. “B-R has a nice team and certainly they were a factor in our issues on the offensive end. I can’t ask more of the defensive effort that the girls are putting forth each night. It’s really what gives them a chance to win in each game. As for B-R, I feel good for JT (Coach Thomas) and his team, particularly his seniors. They’ve worked very hard the last four years to re-establish that program as a winner.”

The game’s decisive momentum changer was established in the second quarter after what was a 4-2 lead for the Lady Eagles (4-3) after the first quarter, as Bolivar-Richburg found their rhythm on both ends of the floor, scoring a 13-5 run of their opposition, the only 10+ point quarter of the night in the midst of the defensive battle.

Despite the loss, the Lady Eagles were able to hold Bolivar-Richburg’s (6-2) senior stud inside shotless from the field, as Aliyah Cole scored all four of her points from the charity stripe. But it was Kelsey Pacer that stepped up to take charge of the Lady Wolverines offense, netting a team-high 10 points. McKinlee Harris was red hot from the three-point arc, nailing three triples for nine points. Jianna Nix added in seven points.

Fillmore was led by Jadyn Mucher, who recorded a game-high 13 points for the hosts in white and green. Emma Cole had seven points, while Morgan Byer rounded off the scoring with a three-point basket for the Lady Eagles, who will now look to get back on track Wednesday night over the road in Wellsville at 7:30 p.m.

“I thought Jadyn played a nice game for us today. She was aggressive on offense, and mixed in some perimeter shooting, as well as getting to the basket when she could. Hopefully we can build off that, and find a little flow on offense next week.” said Parks.

The Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg will get the chance to officially lock up the Allegany County Division I title on Wednesday over the road, but they’ll have to defeat the Cuba-Rushford Lady Rebels to do so, when first tip comes at 7:30 p.m. inside the Wighthouse.

Bolivar-Richburg 2 13 6 9 – 30

Fillmore 4 5 5 9 – 23

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: McKinlee Harris 3 0-2 9, Madigan Harris 0 0-2 0, Kelsey Pacer 3 3-5 10, Aliyah Cole 0 4-6 4, Jianna Nix 3 0-2 7. Totals: 9 9-17 30.
FILLMORE: Shelby Beardsley 0 0-4 0, Emma Cole 3 1-6 7, Jadyn Mucher 4 4-11 13, Morgan Byer 1 0-0 3. Totals: 8 5-21 23.

3-point goals: B-R 5 (Mc. Harris 3, Pacer, Nix), Fillmore 2 (Mucher, Byer).
Total Fouls: B-R 14, Fillmore 13. Fouled out: Mucher (FIL).

Whitesville 40, Andover 26

WHITESVILLE — The Lady Panthers of Andover were able to hold Whitesville’s sophomore superstar to a season-low on offense, but despite that, the Lady Jays still found a way to prevail, as they would remain undefeated on the season with their sweep of Andover on their home hardwood with a 40-26 victory, Saturday night.

The Lady Jays (7-0) used a fast start to their advantage right from the start, as they accounted for their strongest outing of offense in the first eight minutes by accounting for a 16-4 run of Andover that would ultimately set the tone for good.

Even though the Lady Panthers (3-6) were on the end of victory, they were able to keep Vanessa Hall contained in the field, as the Whitesville sophomore recorded a 7-for-9 outing at the stripe to go with her 11 points from the field to make up a game-high 18 points for the Lady Jays. Rachel Jackson added in nine points, while Gabbi Hall had six.

On the other side, Andover was led by Kelsie Niedermaier, who posted a team-high eight points. Livia Simon and Gabby Terhune each had seven to add.

Both teams are back in action Monday night with a pair of 6 p.m. contests, as Whitesville will look to continue undefeated over the road with a visit against the Scio Lady Tigers, while Andover will return home to welcome in the Wellsville Lady Lions for a visit.

Andover 4 5 9 8 – 26

Whitesville 16 7 5 12 – 40

ANDOVER: Olivia Hanks 2 0-0 4, Gabby Terhune 2 2-3 7, Livia Simon 3 1-2 7, Kelsie Niedermaier 3 2-2 8. Totals: 10 5-7 26.
WHITESVILLE: Kennedy Bledsoe 2 1-2 5, Rachel Jackson 3 1-2 9, Serena Ainsworth 1 0-0 2, Vanessa Hall 5 7-9 18, Gabbi Hall 3 0-0 6. Totals: 14 9-13 40.
3-point goals: Andover 1 (Terhune), Whitesville 3 (Jackson 2, Hall).
Total Fouls: Andover 13, Whitesville 8. Fouled out: None.

Belfast 59, Friendship 27

BELFAST — Team offense has been the name of the game for the Belfast Lady Bulldogs, using that mantra to power up what has been a successful season on the hardwood.

When they returned to action Saturday afternoon, it was no different, as three different Lady Bulldogs eclipsed double digits to help put together a strong first half lead they never lost, as they rolled their way toward their fifth win in six games by a 59-27 count over the visiting Lady Golden Eagles.

Anna Drozdowski, Mary Hamer and Kaitlin Sadler all got involved in the first half by recording 24 of the team’s 30 points as a combined unit, all netting eight points each to power up a big first half lead for the Lady Bulldogs (6-2). Back out for the second half, the team managed to collect a 20-point third quarter which saw Hamer continue her momentum in front of a slew of Lady Bulldogs getting on the board themselves, locking up one last 20-11 run of Friendship (3-4) to stay ahead for good.

Hamer led Belfast in the scoring department with a game-high 18 points. Drozdowski followed behind with 12 points. Sadler had 10 points to add in, while Emma Sullivan finished with eight.

The Lady Golden Eagles saw Nevaeh Ross lead the charge with her 10 team-high points. Kadence Donohue sank a pair of three-pointers, for six points. Logan Roberts, Caitlin Stewart and Aaliyah Harmon all had three points, with Roberts and Stewart netting a three-point basket each.

Both teams will have the Genesee Valley Lady Jaguars up next on their schedule, as the final week of regular season action approaches. Belfast will be up first back on their home floor, playing host in a 6 p.m. contest on Monday. Friendship will travel to Genesee Valley later on in the week, on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. contest of their own.

Friendship 6 2 11 5 – 27

Belfast 18 12 20 9 – 59

FRIENDSHIP: Nevaeh Ross 4 0-0 10, Logan Roberts 1 0-0 3, Kadence Donohue 2 0-0 6, Keely Sisson 1 0-2 2, Caitlin Stewart 1 0-0 3, Aaliyah Harmon 1 1-2 3. Totals: 10 1-4 27.
BELFAST: Alicia Borden 2 0-2 4, Anna Drozdowski 6 0-0 12, Mary Hamer 9 0-0 18, Kaitlin Sadler 4 2-4 10, Harley Proctor 3 0-0 6, Emma Sullivan 4 0-0 8, Cierra Wallace 0 1-2 1. Totals: 28 3-6 59.

3-point goals: Friendship 6 (Ross 2, Donohue 2, Roberts, Stewart).
Total Fouls: Friendship 5, Belfast 5. Fouled out: None.

Genesee Valley 34, Scio 33

SCIO — It all came down to the final seconds of action, Saturday afternoon. With a one-point lead in hand, the Lady Tigers of Scio were closing in on their first win of the season.

But with the Lady Jaguars taking their final possession with less than 30 seconds left to play, they ran with it, as they found the shot they were looking for with 14 seconds left to jump ahead of the Lady Tigers, hanging onto their lead until the final buzzer sounded to steal away the 34-33 victory over the road.

“I’m happy for them to have played so well. I feel badly that they couldn’t get the win, I’m really proud of them. We lost to them by 21 the last time we played. We had a couple keys to the game, and they executed them really well. This was our best game of the season that we put together, despite the loss.” said Lady Tigers coach Di Phalon.

With an 11-9 early deficit to make up before halftime, the Lady Tigers (0-9) used that opportunity to put their best quarter of offense together to take the 21-16 lead heading into the break behind five of Camryn Wiech’s seven points within the frame, as well as some help at the charity stripe. On the other side, the Lady Jaguars would tie the game up with a run of their own coming back out of the locker room.

Adison Grusendorf and Emera Aquila came together to combine for nine of the 13 points that Genesee Valley (2-5) recorded in their game-tying 13-8 run in the third quarter, knotting the game at 29 heading into the final eight minute period. In that last period, it came down to the final minute when the Lady Jaguars attempted to capitalize off multiple turnovers by Scio.

But they found the one that mattered most, grabbing a big go-ahead basket to go with 14 seconds left to take the lead away from the Lady Tigers for good, sealing the victory up.

Aquila led all scorers for the Lady Jaguars with a game-high 15 points. Grusendorf added in nine total, while Katie Bartlett and Ashley Burrows each had three points. For Scio, Alexis Crossley led the way with a perfect 6-for-6 outing at the line to put toward her team-high 12-point effort. Behind Wiech with seven points, was Kiara Grover who had six points all inside.

Both teams are back on the floor Monday night with 6 p.m. contests, as Genesee Valley continues their road-swing with a meeting against the Belfast Lady Bulldogs, while Scio remains pat at home to welcome in the Whitesville Lady Blue Jays.

Genesee Valley 11 5 13 5 – 34

Scio 9 12 8 4 – 33

GENESEE VALLEY: Adison Grusendorf 3 3-4 9, Addy Herring 1 0-0 2, Emera Aquila 6 2-3 15, Lizzy Bentley 1 0-0 2, Katie Bartlett 1 0-0 3, Ashley Burrows 1 1-2 3. Totals: 13 6-9 34.
SCIO: Alexis Crossley 3 6-6 12, Camryn Wiech 3 0-0 7, Emily Stilson 1 1-2 3, Celina Warboys 2 0-0 5, Kiara Grover 3 0-0 6. Totals: 12 7-8 33.

3-point goals: GV 2 (Aquila, Bartlett), Scio 2 (Wiech, Warboys).
Total Fouls: GV 9, Scio 10. Fouled out: None.

Chris Brooks
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Friday Roundup: Danaher puts Wolverines on back, ignites offense with game-high 30 points to force OT, win tight battle with Fillmore by 54-51 count