By JOHN ANDERSON
In 1995, Michelle Alvord was a Keuka College graduate looking to coach girls’ basketball.
The late Denny Amore, a Hall of Fame coach at Friendship, took a chance on Alvord after consulting with another legend, the late Rollie Miles.
She led Wellsville to the state final four as a player and played under current Providence coach Jim Crowley (who also coached at St. Bonaventure) while at Keuka. It was time to trade the sneakers for a whistle.
In quite an unusual path, she coached at Friendship, Whitesville, two years at Keuka College, Friendship again, modified basketball at Wellsville, Whitesville, Hornell JV’s, Wellsville JV’s and the Wellsville varsity coach since 2011.
On Tuesday night, she picked up her 200th career win as Wellsville downed Canisteo-Greenwood, 48-24.
When the game ended, long-time assistant and JV coach Brian Meyers called her back to the court. The players were holding a sign for the milestone win.
“I’m honored and privileged to coach so many great players at Friendship, Whitesville and Wellsville,” Alvord said. “And I did it at my alma mater which is special. The kids do the work and have to put up with me.”
As for the 200th, Alvord said, “It was not on my radar, so when the kids and parents came out with a sign it really meant a lot to me.”
Senior Kaylee Coleman had a huge game on the boards to lead Wellsville (9-2) , as she pulled down 17 rebounds including 10 offensive boards to go with her three assists, steal and block.
Also for Wellsville, Emily Costello had a game-high 13 points with two assists and two steals, Marley Adams had 12 point, three steals, two assists, Jaelyn Knapp had four points, two assists and a steal, Jaylynn Mess had four rebounds, three points, two assists and two steals, Natalie Adams hit a 3-pointer and had three rebounds, Sara Reitz had two and freshman Makenna Dunbar had another solid game with nine points, eight rebounds and a steal.
Emily Robbins and Mess played really well,” Alvord said. “It was notice to see Costello back on track offensively and Marley was her normal self. Knapp did not play as much because of foul trouble. But with her out, everyone else stepped up.”
Wellsville 12 11 18 7 – 48
Canisteo-Greenwood 5 2 4 13 – 24
WELLSVILLE: Marley Adams 5 0-2 12, Jaylynn Mess 0 3-4 3, Emily Costello 5 0-0 13, Jaelyn Knapp 2 0-0 4, Natalie Adams 1 0-0 3, Sara Reitz 1 0-0 2, Kaylee Coleman 1 0-2 2, Makenna Dunbar 4 0-0 9. Totals: 19 3-8 48.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Bailey Mullen 0 0-2 0, Hailey Davis 1 0-0 3, Lillian Mullen 3 4-5 10, Peyton Peters 1 0-0 2, Brooke Byrd 3 3-4 9. Totals: 8 7-11 24.
3-point goals: Wellsville 7 (Costello 3, M. Adams 2, N. Adams, Dunbar), C-G 1 (Davis).
Total Fouls: Wellsville 13, C-G 8. Fouled out: None.
