North falls to Niagara-Wheatfield, Clarence

Williamsville North's girls basketball team fell to 2-2 in ECIC Division I and 3-4 overall with losses to Niagara-Wheatfield, 48-29, and Clarence, 51-34, on Dec. 17 and Dec. 21, respectively.

Niagara-Wheatfield and Clarence each had halftime leads on the Lady Spartans (Niagara Wheatfield, 23-20; Clarence, 25-11).

North trailed Niagara-Wheatfield by three with four minutes remaining but allowed a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach. The Lady Falcons outscored North, 22-6, in the fourth quarter.

North coach Mike De Valle said his team shot horribly late in the game against Niagara-Wheatfield. The only points the Spartans hit in the third quarter was a three by point guard Corrin Genovese.

Megan Klansky paced North against Niagara-Wheatfield with 11 points.

Clarence jumped out to an 11-4 lead on the Lady Spartans and never looked back. Del Valle said Clarence played a 1-3-1 defense on Genovese, who was held scoreless.

Katie Lancelloti scored 21 points for Clarence. Many of her points came on offensive slashes to the hoop.

"We let her roam free and she killed us," said Del Valle.

Katie Kubala scored 11 for the Lady Spartans. Klansky chipped in nine.

North will try to get back on the winning track this week at the Williamsville East Holiday Tournament at Williamsville East High School. The Lady Spartans play Williamsville South in the first round at 4 p.m. on Thursday. North faces either Williamsville East or Newfane at 4 p.m. in the consolation game or 5:30 p.m. in the final. Del Valle said his team has to work on stopping other teams from scoring baskets on putbacks.