Sweet Home girls win own tip-off hoops tourney

Sacred Heart's Krystal Watson, right, reaches past Iroquois' Jaclyn Lawrence for a rebound during the Sharks' first round 54-35 win in the Sweet Home Tip-off Tournament last Wednesday. Sacred Heart lost to Sweet Home, 41-36, in the finals on Friday. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

For the first time in four years, a girls basketball team other than Sacred Heart has won the Sweet Home Tip-off Tournament.

Host team Sweet Home defeated Sacred Heart, 41-36, in last Friday's tourney final.

Team defense earned Sweet Home the title. The Lady Panthers held the Sharks without a three- pointer.

"The girls worked really hard all night long trying to battle Sacred Heart's inside-out game," said Sweet Home coach Matt LaRoach. "We knew that they had good post players and that they are able to catch around the arch and shoot it and our goal was to shut it down with good, aggressive defense."

"This win was a great step forward as we continue to work on our team defense," he continued. "The girls are seeing how important the defensive side of the ball is and how with great defense, we will put ourselves in a position to win games. I cannot say enough about the preparation by the girls and their drive to get better. They are working very hard day in and day out and that is the message we need to continue to live by."

Sacred Heart coach Sister Maria Pares lauded Sweet Home's defensive effort but said her team missed a ton of shots.

"For every shot they made, we missed three," said Pares.

LaRoach said Laura Nerber was a huge piece to the team's success inside.

"She was great against their forwards," said LaRoach. "She battled from horn to horn."

He also liked the defensive work inside of Nadia Durno, who battled Sacred Heart forwards, and Ellie Allen (tournament MVP), Gleniesha Ferby, Coretta Davis (all-tournament team) and Amanda Cannizzo for not giving much up around the arc.

Offensively, Davis gave Sweet Home a lift with 13 points. Ferby and Allen each added eight points. Durno chipped in six points.

Sacred Heart was led by 14 points from Alycia Pontello and Krystal Watson. Watson also grabbed eight rebounds.

Tied at 17-17 at halftime, Sweet Home led, 29-23, after the third quarter.

Sweet Home advanced to the final by routing Grand Island, 53-33.

"This was a good first win for us," said LaRoach. "We have been working very hard on our defense and we were able to do good things with it. Our efforts to get better in practice and our focus in practice is helping us be prepared come game night. So far, the girls are working very hard to get better this year."

The Lady Panthers jumped on Grand Island early, leading 18-9, after the first quarter and 31-21 at halftime.

Sweet Home outscored the Lady Vikings, 10-3, in the third quarter and 12-9 in the fourth quarter. Again, defense was the Lady Panthers' key to victory. LaRoach said his team played an aggressive half court defense that led to victory.

"The defense was great," said LaRoach. "It was active and aggressive and put us in a position to make plays."

Ferby led Sweet Home's defensive charge.

"She was active and forced Grand Island into tough situations," said LaRoach.

Allen's effort's offensively (18 points) helped set the tone. She also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished two assists.

Along with Allen, Sweet Home had nice balance from Bianca Smiley (15 points, 11 rebounds) Ferby (eight points) and Davis (six points, seven rebounds).

Grand Island was led by Mallory Griffiths (eight points) and Kallie Banker (six points).

Sweet Home (2-0) hosted Kenmore East in a non-league contest on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. The Lady Panthers host Williamsville South at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

In the other consolation game, Sacred Heart beat Iroquois, 54-35. The Sharks led 26-6 at halftime.

Nine Sacred Heart players scored led by Haley Pickett (14 points) and Coppola (11 points, six assists). Coppola, who hit three threes in the game, made the all-tournament team as did Iroquois' Ashley Platek and Grand Island's Catie Hillard.

Watson had six points and nine rebounds. Platek scored 10 points. Grace Cunningham led Iroquois with 11 points.

"We limited them to one shot," said Pares. "Our defense was great. Everybody played and contributed."

Sacred Heart defeated Bennett, 80-30, in the first round of the Al Pastor Tournament on Monday at Daemen College.

The Sharks play either East High School or Immaculata in the finals at 5:15 p.m. on Friday at Daemen College.

Sacred Heart opens Monsignor Martin Association league play at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Niagara Catholic.

(Patrick J. Nagy contributed to this article)