Genovese fights through the pain, lifts North over Nardin
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

A tender left ankle was not going to stop Corrin Genovese.

The freshman point guard outscored Nardin, 14-7, in the fourth quarter and lifted the Lady Spartans to a 49-43 home win on Saturday over the Gators.

Genovese, who missed the first five games of the season from an left ankle injury she suffered while playing on the school's girls volleyball team, rolled the same ankle early in the second quarter after colliding with a Nardin player while going for a steal near half court. Genovese iced the ankle until the fourth quarter.

In the final stanza, she hit a three-pointer off a double screen, hit a few jump shots and made 5 of 6 free throws. Genovese finished with 17 points and four steals. She also gave North its first lead, 42-41, after a jump shot over a defender with three minutes remaining.

"She's definitely a warrior," said North coach Mike Del Valle. "She thrives in pressure situations and wants the ball in her hands when the game is on the line. Instead of feeling pressure, she relishes it."

For most of the game, Nardin was in charge. The Gators led, 16-5, after the first quarter and 21-5 at one point in the second quarter. North trailed, 24-17, at halftime and, 36-30, after three quarters.

North also got double figures from freshman guard Allie Ahern (11 points) and junior forward Katie Kubala (10 points). Del Valle said Kubala had several steals around the paint.

"It was a great team win," said Del Valle. "No matter who I put in they contributed."

The Lady Spartans (4-6, 2-3) have a huge challenge at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when they host Jamestown, the No. 1 ranked Western New York large school. North hosts Orchard Park at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14.