Amherst girls hoops take third at tourney

The Amherst varsity girls basketball team split its games at last week's West Seneca West Tip-off Tournament held at West Seneca West High School.

Amherst fell, 47-36, to Orchard Park in its opener last Tuesday and came back to beat West Valley, 51-13, in the consolation game last Thursday.

The OP game was tied at 13-13 at halftime. Amherst trailed by three entering the fourth quarter but in the fourth, OP capitalized on too many Lady Tiger turnovers.

"We played really well as a team," said Amherst coach JoAnna Fildes.

Eva Lankes led Amherst with 12 points. Elana Korn added 10 points. Jenny Newhouse chipped in nine points.

Amherst came out real strong on the fast break against West Valley, building a 31-2 halftime advantage.

Fildes said West Valley's leading scorer, Kate Bailey, picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and her third in the second quarter, slowing down their offense.

Amy Simon and Jequana Roberts were the only two Lady Tigers in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Kaelyn Sullivan added seven points.

"Overall, it was a great team effort," said Fildes.

Amherst (1-1) hosted Springville on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Cheektowaga on Friday and travel to Maryvale this coming Tuesday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.