Friday Roundup: Fri/Scio’s Ross explodes for triple-double performance, nets 1,000 career points in 56-43 win over B-R; Wellsville, Fillmore volleyball record road sweeps
By Chris Brooks, wellsvillesports.com, photos by Tricia Davenport
SCIO — She has made her mark across not only Allegany County, but across Section V as one of the best softball pitchers the area has witnessed. Because of her herculean efforts from within the circle, she has led Friendship/Scio to back-to-back trips to the State Final Four, including a State Finals berth just last year down in Staten Island.
But before Nevaeh Ross helps lead the program for the final time in her high school career, with a potential third straight trip back to that coveted stage in the Empire State well within their sightline, there was business to handle indoors for the next few months.
Tag-teaming with her sister, Morghyn Ross, and along with a strong supporting cast following each and every step of the way, Friendship/Scio is poised to make some noise after just missing the Class D2 Finals last season. Their start to the new campaign has them trending in the right direction, garnering two wins in their first three games entering their annual Scio Christmas Tournament, Friday night.
But there was another thing that hung in the balance. Something that would cement her legacy as one of the County’s All-Time greats even further. Ross was within striking distance of a historic marker that has never been reached before in Friendship — 1,000 career points.
What better way to write history in the school’s basketball book than with one of the best performances one can muster.
When the final buzzer had rung out against Bolivar-Richburg to open their tenure in the Christmas Tournament, the Friendship/Scio senior unleashed her fury, recording 24 game-high points to go with 13 rebounds off the glass and 10 steals — a massive triple-double performance to help clinch that 1,000-career point mark in style after a tough battle against the Lady Wolverines, going towards a 56-43 win that awaited in the end.
“It was a touch-and-go deal for a while there, and it was a great game, but I am so, so proud of Nevaeh,” said Friendship/Scio coach Ashleigh Lewis. “She’s been working hard for this the last few years, and she’s now the first girl at Friendship to accomplish something like this. She’s put in a lot of work, and to do it on a night like this where emotions are at an all-time high, that makes it even more special. She’s matured into a natural-born leader and a well-rounded player. She’s been amazing to coach over these last couple of years, and she deserves this.”
Right from the start, Bolivar-Richburg and Friendship/Scio (3-1) delivered consistent jabs through the opening quarter to set up shop, with the hosts in white and gold claiming an early 19-15 lead to carry into the second quarter. With the lead, they were able to give it a boost while holding the Lady Wolverines to their lowest scoring frame, accounting for a 15-7 half-ending run to distance their advantage to 12.
Friendship/Scio was able to maintain their lead well into the second half over the Lady Wolverines (2-4), coming up with one more out-scoring in the third quarter to further cement it.
“The whole team tonight, especially Emily and Avery (Lamberson), they did great on defense against their guards,” said Lewis. “Sophie (Bolzan) stepped in to defend the post, which is something out of the ordinary for her. It was a great team win, and I am proud of everyone for stepping up tonight.”
Finishing behind Ross in the scorebook for Friendship/Scio was Emily Lamberson, who had 12 points. Avery Lamberson chipped in with eight points to go with eight steals, while Morghyn Ross and Sophie Bolzan each collected six points to round off the scoring for the hosts, with Ross garnering seven steals and six assists.
Bolivar-Richburg was paced by Carmen Crowley and her 11 team-high points. Sydney Faulkner followed behind with 10 points of her own. The Lady Wolverines are back on the hardwood over the road again on Tuesday, travelling to Whitesville for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off against host Andover/Whitesville.
Friendship/Scio will look to finish their Christmas Tournament on the highest of notes right back in Scio tonight, hosting Alfred-Almond in a 6 p.m. tip-off.
Bolivar-Richburg 15 7 9 12 – 43
Friendship/Scio 19 15 12 10 – 56
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Nadia Baldwin 3 0-0 7, Jaelyn Kinnicutt 1 0-0 2, Raegan Giardini 5 2-6 13, Sydney Faulkner 5 0-0 10, Aaliyah DeGroff 0 0-2 0, Carmen Crowley 5 1-5 11. Totals: 17 3-13 43.
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Emily Lamberson 5 0-0 12, Nevaeh Ross 10 4-6 24, Avery Lamberson 4 0-0 8, Sophie Bolzan 3 0-0 6, Morghyn Ross 3 0-0 6. Totals: 25 4-6 56.
3-point goals: B-R 2 (Baldwin, Giardini), F/S 2 (E. Lamberson).
Total Fouls: B-R 9, F/S 15. Fouled out: Bolzan (F/S).
More stories after Tricia Davenport photo gallery:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Fillmore 76, Friendship/Scio 18
FILLMORE — After spending five straight games out on the road, the Eagles of Fillmore were ready to finally come home with a meeting against Friendship/Scio in store for a Friday night in The Rock.
The Eagles were able to provide a warm welcome back in front of their home fans, as they used a 33-point first eight minutes of play to set the tone immediately. With a 21-point performance from Zach Sisson helping charge a well-balanced offensive attack, Fillmore was able to capture a 76-18 victory over Friendship/Scio.
“After five road games, it was nice to get off to a great start at home,” said Eagles coach Randy Crouch. “They have a young team and our defense caused them some issues. Once we got rolling in transition, we found a rhythm and started knocking down shots. We have been emphasizing making defenses defend everyone by sharing the ball and creating shots. The guys really displayed that tonight. Give Friendship/Scio credit, Dillon (McFall) has them working hard and they never let up.”
Finishing behind Sisson for the Eagles (4-2) was Eben Schilke, who bucketed nine points of his own. Layton Sanasith and Brayden Hennard each had eight points, while Cam Mucher had seven.
For Friendship/Scio (1-5), Connor Blovet led the way with his team-leading eight points.
Both teams are back on the hardwood Wednesday night in a pair of 7:30 p.m. tip-offs, with Fillmore paying a visit to Franklinville, while Friendship/Scio ships out to Cuba-Rushford.
Friendship/Scio 3 7 7 2 – 18
Fillmore 33 18 16 9 – 76
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Aiden Golden 1 1-1 3, Jerome Harmon 1 0-0 2, Connor Blouvet 2 2-6 8, Jerimiah Brown 1 2-6 4, Deacon Brown 0 1-2 1. Totals: 5 6-15 18.
FILLMORE: Eben Schilke 4 0-0 9, Cam Mucher 3 0-0 7, Marcus Wolfer 1 0-0 3, Layton Sanasith 4 0-0 8, Brandon Buck 0 2-4 2, Zach Sisson 7 5-6 21, Jonah Bialek 2 0-0 5, Brayden Hennard 4 0-0 8, Jameson Rhett 2 0-4 6, Gavin Barnhart 1 0-0 3, JD Bialek 2 0-0 4. Totals: 30 7-14 76.
3-point goals: F/S 2 (Blouvet), Fillmore 9 (Sisson 2, Rhett 2, Schilke, Mucher, Wolfer, Jo. Bialek, JD Bialek).
Total Fouls: F/S 11, Fillmore 11. Fouled out: None.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Wellsville 3, Cuba-Rushford 0
CUBA — Both Wellsville and Cuba-Rushford were neck and neck through the night in the Wighthouse on Friday.
After the Lions picked up the first advantage to hold, they would work their way from behind in the next set successfully, holding all momentum from that point on to deliver a straight-set win by a 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 count to claim their fourth win in their first five games.
Wellsville (4-1) was set up for success by Xavier Scott on the attack, heading the front line with his nine kills to go with six aces and a block. Following up were Brody Heaney (one block) and Lucius Griggs, as both Lions recorded four kills each.
On the other side of the net, Cuba-Rushford (2-3) was led by Brock Stadler on defense, keeping the ball off the floor with 10 digs to go with seven kills and two aces. Anderson Siegel chipped in with six more digs to go with five team-leading kills on offense and three aces. Coen Kellogg handed out 11 assists, coupling them with five digs and two aces.
Coming up on Monday, both teams return to the floor for action in a pair of 6 p.m. contests, as Wellsville continues their road swing into Allegany-Limestone, while Cuba-Rushford hits the road themselves to visit Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Fillmore 3, Bolivar-Richburg 0
RICHBURG — Five days away from action were spent by the Eagles of Fillmore. But none of that time was lost one bit, as they returned and picked up where they left off to conclude 2-for-2 for the week, springing above .500 in the early stages of their campaign with a straight-set sweep of host Bolivar-Richburg on Friday, rolling to a 25-9, 25-13, 25-13 victory.
Pacing a stout Fillmore (3-2) offense was Reid Cockle, who recorded a team-leading six kills to pair with two assists at the front of the net. Adding more help along the way was Anderson Wiltsey and his three kills, two assists and two blocks, while Nathan Tanner chipped in with three more kills, pairing them with two assists and a block.
Statistics for the Wolverines (0-5) were not made available to report upon publication.
Both teams will hit the floor again on Monday in a pair of 6 p.m. contests, as Fillmore stays home to host Friendship/Scio, while Bolivar-Richburg hits the road to visit Arkport/Canaseraga.
