Jamestown pulls ahead late, beats Williamsville East
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East's Anna Stolzenberg splits between Jamestown defenders Liketia McAffee (21) and Maggie Dalton (22) in the Lady Flames' 54-39 loss last Friday at East. Stolzenburg finished with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

At times, Williamsville East couldn't have played Jamestown any better but second half turnovers, especially in the third quarter, led to a 54-39 Lady Flames' loss last Friday at East.

East coach Chris Durr said in a two to three minute span in the third quarter, his team turned the ball over three times against Jamestown's press and the Lady Red Raiders scored three baskets, including a three-point play on a foul that pushed its lead from four to 11. East finished the game with 28 turnovers.

Trailing, 32-24, after the third quarter, East went on a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter but Durr said a Jamestown player had a three.

"That's how it went the rest of the game," said Durr. "We would do a couple of nice things and Jamestown would come up with a big shot, or we would turn the ball over."

Durr said Jamestown scored eight points in the last minute and a half between free throws and shots.

"I thought the kids played tremendous," said Durr. "It was definitely a lot closer than what the score indicated. Down the stretch, we battled and needed to do what was necessary to be successful."

The game featured two of the best girls basketball teams in Western New York. Jamestown was ranked first among Western New York large schools. East was ranked eighth (are now ranked 10th).

The Lady Flames gave Jamestown a game, using a man-to-man defense to hold the Lady Red Raiders to 10 first quarter points and six second quarter point. Jamestown led, 12-10, after the first quarter. East was up, 18-16, at halftime.

"We knew coming into the game that Jamestown likes to run and gun," said Durr. "So we wanted to turn it into a half court game which we accomplished in the first half. We gave them only one shot and got a lot of offensive rebounds. When we had the ball, we worked it around until there was about 10 seconds left on the shot clock. The only shots we took quickly were layups."

Senior Anna Stolzenberg led East with a career-high 19 points on 9 of 15 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed 11 rebounds.

Taylor Klun chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds. Jessica Kowalski (six points), Bridget Steele (three points), Neha Bakhai and Aleece Burgio (two points each) rounded out the scoring.

East shot 16 for 46 from twos and threes and 7 for 12 from the free throw line.

Jamestown shot 15 of 17 from the free throw line. Nikki Frederickson (17 points) went 7 for 7. She usually averages over 25. Durr said Bakhai, Stolzenberg, Burgio and Klun all took turns guarding Frederickson.

Erinne Cunningham was held to two points in the first half and 10 overall. Steele, Bakhai and Kowalski took turns guarding her.

East (9-5, 5-2) played at fourth-ranked Sweet Home on Tuesday in a crucial ECIC Division II game. The result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. East plays at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Lake Shore.