Girls basketball
North's eighth graders step up, East hits goals
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North eighth grader Allie Ahern drives past Katie Lancelloti for two of her career-high 19 points in the Lady Spartans' 55-50 road win last Friday. Photo by John Rusac Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville North has made great strides since the beginning of the season and its eighth graders have led the way.

Eighth graders Corrin Genovese, Allie Ahern and Jen Piaggione combined for 17 of North's 19 fourth quarter points and 44 points overall, in the Lady Spartans' 55-50 road win last Friday over Clarence.

Ahern led the Lady Spartans with a career-high 19 points, hit 4-of-6 free throws, three three-pointers, grabbed 11 rebounds and held Clarence's Katie Lancelloti to four points. Genovese had 16 points, two threes, shot 6-of-10 free throws, and dished out five assists. Piaggione scored nine points.

Clarence defeated North, 44-30, on Dec. 8 but Lady Spartans coach Mike DelValle said his team has improved its ball handling since then and not turned over the ball as much.

"They're getting more confident on the floor," DelValle added.

In the fourth quarter of the team's past meeting, DelValle said his team ratcheted up its defense to hold Clarence to two field goals and cause turnovers, and had some shots fall.

North also hit many of its 20-of-36 free throws in the fourth quarter. Clarence was 26-of-39 overall.

The Lady Spartans trailed, 23-22, at halftime and, 37-36, after three quarters.

Alysse Pesano led Clarence with 19 points. The Lady Red Devils' best player, Holly Travis, did not play because of a sprained

ankle.

North (3-7, 5-11) plays at West Seneca West at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Williamsville East

The Lady Flames achieved some goals in a 52-8 win at West Seneca East last Friday.

"We wanted to shoot 65 percent from the free throw line (shot 6-of-8, 75 percent), commit less than 12 turnovers (had nine) and less than 10 empties (missed shots in the low post within six feet of the basket). We had 14," said East coach Chris Durr.

East also shot 24-of-52 from the floor, made 17 steals, dished out 16 assists, and only committed nine turnovers.

The Lady Flames led, 16-1, after the first quarter, 34-5 at halftime, and 44-7, after the third quarter.

Eleven of 13 East players scored. Molly Bojanek led the Lady Flames with 10 points, seven assists and three steals. Taylor Klun also scored 10.

Kaitlin Roseti (six points), Aleece Burgio, Meghan Scheidemann, Courtney Hawkins, and Neha Bakhai (four points each), Jessica Kowalski (three points each), and Bridget Steele (two points, five assists), Krista Morgante and Pooja Bakhai (two points each) also contributed for East.

"It was the first time all year we played offensively and defensively for a complete game, which is positive going into this week," said Durr.

East (8-1, 12-2) faced Clarence on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They travel to Hamburg (9-1) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The winner will most likely be the front runner for the ECIC Division II crown. Hamburg won the first meeting, 38-36.

Williamsville South

Hamburg used a suffocating man-to-man defense to hold the South offense in check in the team's recent match-up.

The Lady Billies were outscored 16-2 in the first quarter en route to a 47-29 loss at Hamburg on Friday.

"We were missing shots but we weren't getting many shots, especially in the first quarter," said South coach Duke McGuire. "We had trouble running plays because they kept denying the entry pass from the wings. We couldn't get anything going."

Hamburg led 27-8 at halftime and 33-16 after three quarters.

Katie Ostroot posted a double double (10 points, 11 rebounds) for South. Sarah Marcus added seven points.

Katie Medina and Liz Schappert each scored 10 points to lead Hamburg.

South opened the week with a 46-36 non-league road win last Wednesday over St. Mary's of Lancaster.

Ostroot led the Lady Billies with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Cassiana Hyppolite scored seven of her 12 points in the third as South opened a 20-16 halftime lead to 35-23. Marcus also chipped in 12 points.

South (2-5, 5-9) hosts Amherst at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. It will be the final time during the regular season that McGuire will coach against his daughter, Shannon.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com