East beats WS East, improves league record
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East's girls basketball team improved to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in ECIC Division II with a 51-28 win at West Seneca East last Tuesday.

East led, 14-8, after the first quarter, 28-13 at halftime and 44-20 after the third quarter.

The Lady Flames shot 20 for 50 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from three-point range. They did shoot 20 "empties," which East coach Chris Durr refers to as shots in the lane and little three-foot shots that were missed.

"Overall, I thought we played pretty well offensively," said East coach Chris Durr.

We had 13 assists on 20 baskets, which could have been higher if we made more layups. Defensively, I was a little frustrated with how they scored easily. It's certainly something we have to work on."

East committed only five turnovers in the first half.

Jessica Kowalski led East with 13 points. She scored eight of her 13 in the first quarter. She shot 5 of 9 from the floor and made 2 of 3 three-point attempts.

"It was probably her best game of the season," said Durr. "They were playing an aggressive zone defense and three or four times, she was free on the weak side and hit 10- to 15-footers. She also hit a three in the first quarter and third quarter. Her two other twos, her feet were on the line so she was hitting shots from 19 feet out. Shots from that far away have been difficult for us to make on a regular basis."

East's Taylor Klun also scored in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Kowalski, Courtney Hawkins and Becca Rumschik scored five points each. Jordan Kowalski and Rumschik each hit their three-point attempt. Anna Stolzenburg chipped in four points and eight rebounds. Aleece Burgio and Neha Bakhai each scored three. Kristin Ostanski had two.

East, ranked eighth in Western New York large schools, is off until 7:30 p.m. on Friday when they host Jamestown, ranked first in large schools.

"Jamestown plays very up-tempo, subs a lot throughout a game, shoots the three and runs the floor," said Durr. "They rarely slow down its offense. Our job is making sure we force them into a half-court game."