Thursday Basketball: Rapid start by Newark Valley stymies Lady Lions at Coaches v. Cancer Tourney, will face host Haverling in Consolation; Hinsdale boys capture Scio Christmas Tourney crown

BATH — The Coaches v. Cancer Tournament in Bath was officially in full swing Thursday afternoon, as the Lady Lions of Wellsville hopped on the bus and made the trip out for their first game back on the hardwood after the brief Christmas recess.

On tap was a Section IV representative that has navigated through the State rankings and into the Top 10 in Class B — Newark Valley, led by the likes of Division-I commit Cha Gardner. For the Lady Lions, they were challenged right out of the gate.

Newark Valley took full advantage of the first eight minutes of play to open the Varsity docket of the tournament, scoring an 11-3 early run of Wellsville to set the tone right away. From the second quarter on, the Lady Lions chipped away at their deficit, but the Lady Cardinals managed to stay in front to control their own destiny towards the Championship game with a 45-33 victory.

“The Gardner girl is going to Stephen F. Austin after she graduates, and we didn’t have an answer for her tonight. We tried to settle in and develop a game plan after that first quarter, and we did for the most part to hang with them. But the start of the game was the difference,” said Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord. “They’re a State-ranked team, and this was a good look at some great competition. There were some great things, especially from Caelyn (Stevens) and Jaden (Dunbar). Both of them had their best games so far this year. But we’ll get to where we need to be.”

The first quarter was the difference that helped pay massive dividends for the Lady Cardinals to start the night, as they sprinted out with a full head of steam with 11 of the game’s first 14 points near the midway point of the frame. The run would essentially allow Newark Valley to set the tone, as they wrapped up the frame with an 18-8 lead to carry forward.

The Lady Cardinals would extend their lead across the next eight minute session to post a 30-15 halftime lead over the Lady Lions (5-2), as they remained in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the game to seal their spot in the Championship round the following day.

Wellsville was paced by a strong performance from Caelyn Stevens, as she recorded a team-high 12 points to go with six rebounds and four steals. Natalie Adams followed behind with eight points, while Jaden Dunbar had five points to pair with five rebounds. In addition on special teams, Makenna Dunbar made her presence known off the glass, grabbing seven big rebounds to go with three assists.

In the JV contest, the Lady Lions were able to punch their ticket to the Championship game themselves behind a big 10-point game from Raegan Vogel, as they took the 24-19 win over Newark Valley. Reegan Perkins collected eight points to further the cause.

Tonight, the Lady Lions head back to Bath-Haverling for Consolation round action to close out the Coaches v. Cancer Tournament against the host Lady Rams, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Newark Valley 18 12 9 6 – 45

Wellsville 8 7 9 9 – 33

NEWARK VALLEY: Cha Gardner 9 0-0 18, Aubrey Kwiatkowski 3 0-2 7, Adrianna Finta 3 1-1 7, Liv Short 4 1-2 9, K. Beebe 1 0-0 2, Adriana Rich 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 2-5 45.

WELLSVILLE: Caelyn Stevens 4 2-2 12, Natalie Adams 4 0-0 8, Emily Stuck 0 1-2 1, Averee Palmatier 1 1-2 3, Makenna Dunbar 1 2-2 4, Jaden Dunbar 2 0-0 5. Totals: 12 6-8 33.

3-point goals: NV 1 (Kwiatkowski), Wellsville 3 (Stevens 2, J. Dunbar).
Total Fouls: NV 8, Wellsville 5. Fouled out: None.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Scio Christmas Tournament

Hinsdale 45, Alfred-Almond 31

SCIO — Led by a phenomenal game from Tyler Richards, the Bobcats of Hinsdale were able to score the second victory they needed to officially put a bow on the Scio Christmas Tournament crown on Thursday, as they became champions of the annual holiday gauntlet with a 45-31 victory over the Alfred-Almond Eagles.

Richards led all scorers on the floor for the Bobcats (3-2) with a game-high 22 points, while Henry Schwartz followed behind with 12 points of his own. For Alfred-Almond, Jackson Jusianiec led the scoring with his team-leading 20 points. The Eagles will close out their journey in Scio with Consolation round action against host Friendship/Scio this afternoon at 1 p.m.

The Bobcats will hit the hardwood again after the New Year on Tuesday back home, as they face Friendship/Scio once again in a 6 p.m. contest.