Stories and photos by CHRIS BROOKS, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — With two of the State’s top teams in Hornell and Dansville battling for the top seed going into Sectionals next week, the middle of the pack right behind them is as close as ever. In the midst of it all alongside formidable foes like defending State Champion Waterloo, Williamson/Marion, Livonia, Marcus Whitman and Canisteo-Greenwood, are the Lady Lions of Wellsville.
Currently in possession of a Top-5 spot in the bracket and on their final night of regular season action, the aspiration was to further cement the spot where they stood and in the same swing, garner a Sectional opener back within the confines of the Lion’s Den come next week.
The Bath-Haverling Lady Rams were in town on Tuesday serving as the culminating opposition for the Lady Lions, as the race for a strong finish was on. As for the Lady Rams, they were able to gain ground and stay right on their coattails going into the break, forcing a couple of lead changes before some quick responses in the final minute allowed Wellsville to grab the lead right back.
The pressure would remain on, but it was a completely different story in the second half when the Lady Lions peeled back the facade and shelled out a third quarter of epic proportions, holding Bath-Haverling idle while capitalizing on a game-changing run that kept them ahead in insurmountable fashion, as they rolled towards victory by a 54-29 count.
“We had a lot of great things happen tonight,” said Lady Lions coach Michelle Alvord. “It’s probably the most complete game from beginning to end that we’ve had this year, and a lot of things that we’ve been focusing on, they executed really well. Natalie (Adams) was consistent, Makenna (Dunbar) was consistent, Averee (Palmatier) and now, the other girls are coming into the fold too. We’re playing consistently at the right time, and it’s all a confidence thing, especially after enduring the stretch of games that we’ve had.”
With just one shot clock operational in the gym, an administrative technical foul was issued to start the game before the opening tip, as the Lady Rams began with the game’s opening marker. But when the battle kicked off, the Lady Lions found their groove with the first six points in the midst of a 15-point quarter that saw an amalgamation of scorers all fuel the cause in the team’s early 15-8 lead.
The pace would slow down in the second quarter when both teams continued to work on defense, forcing a bundle of turnovers — the majority of which provided by the Lady Rams that saw them close the gap behind Wellsville to as little as three at that point in time. But it would allow Bath-Haverling to build momentum off of it, as Emma Luckenbach scored on three straight possessions, two scores off turnovers, to lift them over the top and into the lead for the first time by an 18-17 count.
But it was for a brief moment until Natalie Adams knocked down a big three with less than a minute remaining to put Wellsville back ahead, finishing the half on a high note with one more hard-working basket down low from Averee Palmatier, who was the leading scorer for the Lady Lions with her game-high 15 points.
Palmatier would also add six rebounds and six assists into the fray on special teams to complete her performance.
In the second half, the momentum remained with the hosts in white and orange with a run that kept them in complete command of their own destiny ahead, as they held Bath-Haverling at a near standstill on defense while transferring the power to the attack on the opposite end of the floor, accounting for a 20-4 jaunt in the third quarter to pull away for good.
Of those 20 points, 13 of them came in consecutive order to start the frame of play.
Following Palmatier for the Lady Lions was Natalie Adams and Jaden Dunbar, each scoring 10 points, with Adams recording five rebounds and four assists, while Dunbar chipped in with six rebounds. On special teams, Makenna Dunbar led the rebounding with nine boards, while Caelyn Stevens had six more to add in.
In the JV contest leading up to the nightcap, stellar performances from Raegan Vogel and Reegan Perkins helped Wellsville end their 2023-24 campaign on the highest of notes, as the two Lady Lions combined for 20 of the team’s 36 points in their 36-9 victory over the Lady Rams. Vogel finished as the leading scorer with 11 points, while Perkins had nine.
The Lady Lions will now await their Sectional fate over the weekend before retaking the floor for action in the second season, next week, as they put a wrap on a regular season that saw them finish with a record of 12-8 overall.
Bath-Haverling 8 10 4 7 – 29
Wellsville 15 7 20 12 – 54
BATH-HAVERLING: Leah Krelie 1 0-2 2, Sierra Haight 2 2-2 7, Emma Luckenbach 5 1-1 11, Lane Prescott 1 0-0 2, Lola Coots 3 0-0 7. Totals: 12 3-5 29.
WELLSVILLE: Caelyn Stevens 2 2-2 6, Natalie Adams 3 2-2 10, Alexa Hennessy 1 0-0 2, Averee Palmatier 7 0-0 15, Makenna Dunbar 3 3-4 9, Jaden Dunbar 4 2-2 10, Alexa Stuck 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 9-10 54.
3-point goals: B-H 2 (Haight, Coots), Wellsville 3 (Adams 2, Palmatier).
Total Fouls: B-H 10, Wellsville 6. Fouled out: None.
Fillmore 47, Cuba-Rushford 26
CUBA — The defense for the Lady Eagles of Fillmore was top notch immediately out of the gate on Tuesday, as they held host Cuba-Rushford in check across the first 16 minutes to set the tone and spoil Senior Night festivities on Gary Wight Court, soaring to victory with a 47-26 edge.
After an early exchange of opening baskets in the first eight minutes, Fillmore (17-2) turned the jets on and began to capitalize on all fronts, using the remaining time in the frame to score nine straight points and bolster their lead — an offensive outburst that saw the Lady Eagles nearly go perfect from the charity stripe, recording a 9-for-10 outing between Hope Russell, Grace Russell and Preslee Miller.
The shots from the field would then come down for the next big run the Lady Eagles would conduct, seeing four different scorers rise to the occasion to deliver an 11-3 run across the second quarter to close out the first half on a positive, all behind an extension to their advantage that garnered even more distance from the Lady Rebels to keep it cemented intact for the time ahead.
Leading the scoring for Fillmore was Miller, as she posted 13 team-high points. Hope Russell chipped in with 12 points, while Grace Russell concluded with 10.
For the Lady Rebels, Brynn Lavery led the scoring with a team-high 13 points. The wait for Sectionals now begins for Cuba-Rushford after finishing their regular season campaign with a record of 5-14 overall.
The Lady Eagles will see their regular season come to its close tonight back on the road, as they finish off their long roadstand with a 7:30 p.m. visit to Andover/Whitesville, in Whitesville.
Fillmore 13 11 14 9 – 47
Cuba-Rushford 2 3 12 9 – 26
FILLMORE: Hope Russell 4 4-4 12, Grace Russell 4 2-4 10, Amelia Rose 1 1-2 4, Mattie McCumiskey 4 0-0 8, Preslee Miller 5 3-7 13. Totals: 18 13-17 47.
CUBA-RUSHFORD: Cloey Larabee 1 0-0 3, Shae Maples 1 0-0 3, Lily Tompkins 1 0-0 3, Brynn Lavery 5 2-2 13, Mireya Rutkowski 1 0-0 2, Lilly Farwell 1 0-0 2, Raegan Poore 0 0-2 0. Totals: 10 2-4 26.
3-point goals: Fillmore 1 (Rose), C-R 4 (Larabee, Maples, Tompkins, Lavery).
Total Fouls: Fillmore 9, C-R 15. Fouled out: None.
Steuben County Tourney
Championship Game
Avoca-Prattsburgh 31, Canisteo-Greenwood 28
AVOCA — It has been long said over the course of time that the game of basketball consists of runs. In the Steuben County Championship game on Tuesday, that was most certainly the case.
In a battle where the defenses stood out and the scoring was at an absolute premium, any opportunity presented to either side was of value to have in their back pockets. Between Canisteo-Greenwood and Avoca-Prattsburgh, the two foes would exchange runs at a constant all game long, leading straight down to the wire in what was a thrilling finish to the annual regular season-ending tournament.
A defining moment came to light with less than a minute remaining to play in regulation. With the Lady Chargers creeping closer to the Lady Titans, some clutch defense assumed control of the spotlight, where the hosts in white and gold were able to force a multitude of turnovers to branch their advantage out by five points.
But the Lady Chargers did not go down without a fight, as they continued to apply all the pressure they could to keep Avoca-Prattsburgh on their feet, including a heroic three-pointer to close the gap to two. Because of it, they were granted with not one, but two prime opportunities to force an extra session on the hardwood right at the very end.
Both shots from outside ultimately rimmed out at the last second for the Lady Chargers, sounding the final buzzer right behind it to end the game and Avoca-Prattsburgh’s regular season with a Steuben County Championship crown, as they held on for dear life in the final minute to capture the 31-28 win over Canisteo-Greenwood in Avoca.
Early on in the opening half, the two foes delivered back and forth runs that saw each squad tally a run, with Avoca-Prattsburgh kickstarting the game with six of the first eight points against the Lady Chargers before they turned the tables themselves with a 6-0 run that closed out the opening quarter with an 8-6 lead in their favor.
Despite the strong finish to the frame, the Lady Titans would counter with an even stronger finish to the first half by holding Canisteo-Greenwood scoreless across the last eight minute session while scoring all eight of the frame’s points to reclaim what was a 14-8 lead going into the break.
After some discussions in the locker room during the time away, the Lady Chargers re-entered recharged to reverse course on Avoca-Prattsburgh to open the second half, as they took a hold of the reins by keeping the Lady Titans scoreless from the field in the midst of their loud 13-1 outburst that was set up by a monster nine-point frame from Bailey Mullen.
With a 21-15 lead in hand going into the last eight minutes, it would become anyone’s game. Canisteo-Greenwood and Avoca-Prattsburgh delivered back and forth punches across the frame leading up to the final minute of play, where a resilient spurt of defense sparked the Lady Titans into a five-point lead. The driving force: Three straight turnovers forced against the Lady Chargers — two of those being cashed in for points, claiming a 30-25 edge along the way.
It was the largest lead held at that point in time on either side, but it was also one that certainly wasn’t out of Canisteo-Greenwood’s reach, as they continued to fight and claw back to within a stone’s throw of Avoca-Prattsburgh behind an insanely clutch triple from Mullen to trim the deficit to a pair.
After a free shot at the line for the Lady Titans branched the advantage out to three, it would come down to the last moments of the battle when the Lady Chargers assumed possession. They would proceed forward and launch two big three-point attempts from downtown to try and force overtime. But in the end, both chances rimmed out at the last moment when the buzzer sounded, as the tournament’s top seeds held on to every last bit of string left to capture this year’s championship.
Mullen would lead all Lady Chargers scorers with her 15 game-high points, pairing them with 15 rebounds to complete a double-double performance. Peyton Peters followed with six points and six rebounds. Harlie McCaffery chipped in with six additional rebounds off the glass to fuel the special teams cause.
Avoca-Prattsburgh was led by Breanna Jorritsma and her team-high 10 points. Meyah Putnam had nine points, while Emma Carlton had six points off a pair of three-pointers.
The regular season is now over for Canisteo-Greenwood, as they now await their future ahead in the Class B playoff picture with a record of 11-9 overall.
Canisteo-Greenwood 8 0 13 7 – 28
Avoca-Prattsburgh 6 8 1 16 – 31
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Kora Button 0 2-2 2, Bailey Mullen 5 3-4 15, McKenna Ferris 0 2-2 2, Paris May 1 0-0 3, Peyton Peters 2 2-2 6. Totals: 8 9-10 28.
AVOCA-PRATTSBURGH: Meyah Putnam 3 2-4 9, Emma Carlton 2 0-0 6, Breanna Jorritsma 4 0-0 10, Kamryn Edwards 1 2-4 4, Marissa Reid 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 4-8 31.
3-point goals: C-G 3 (Mullen 2, May), A-P 5 (Carlton 2, Jorritsma 2, Putnam).
Total Fouls: C-G 14, A-P 15. Fouled out: None.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Bolivar-Richburg 78, Andover/Whitesville 57
ANDOVER — Tuesday night, the Andover/Whitesville boys hung right alongside the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg for as long as they could across a high-octane first half of play, with some big shots from Brody Vance and Colton Calladine allowing them to keep the pressure on throughout.
But despite it, Bolivar-Richburg warded it off and transformed it into a momentum shift of their own that was aided by the likes of Aydin Sisson, who ensured a powerful end to the regular season for the Wolverines behind his career-high 31 points, as they went past Andover/Whitesville to help solidify a Top-5 seed in the Class C2 bracket for Sectionals with a 78-57 win in Andover.
“It was a good pre-Sectionals game. Andover/Whitesville brought some energy and their crowd was in it all night. All the credit goes to Jimmy (Joyce), he does such an amazing job with his kids. The Vance kid was difficult to deal with all night, and Calladine had some big shots as well to keep the pressure on. We just had to find a way to dig down a little bit and push the envelope out a bit.” said Wolverines coach Justin Thomas.
The Wolverines took advantage of the early opportunity in the first half of play to set up shop for the offense, all while under pressure from Andover/Whitesville along the way. It would result in a 36-21 lead going into the break, one that would blossom even further when they returned in time for the second half, posting a third quarter consisting of 24 points to branch it out even further to remain out in front permanently.
Behind Sisson and his 31 points was Landon Barkley, who chipped in with 17 points to continue furthering Bolivar-Richburg’s offensive efforts. Kingston Loucks chipped in with 12 points, while Waide Karnuth had six.
Andover/Whitesville saw Brody Vance take the lead on the offensive side of the ball with his team-high 20 points, including four of the team’s eight triples from downtown. Colton Calladine pitched in with 15 points of his own, while Gage Putnam and Jake Mattison each had seven.
Both teams have reached the end of the line in their regular season, as they now await Sectional play come next week, with Bolivar-Richburg finishing at 15-5 overall, while Andover/Whitesville stands with a record of 10-10.
Bolivar-Richburg 17 19 24 18 – 78
Andover/Whitesville 9 12 13 23 – 57
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Aydin Sisson 15 1-8 31, Landon Barkley 7 1-3 17, David Abdo 1 0-0 2, Caleb Miller 1 0-0 2, Waide Karnuth 2 2-5 6, Trevor Pforter 1 0-0 3, Reiss Gaines 2 1-2 5, Kingston Loucks 4 3-3 12. Totals: 33 8-21 78.
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Jake Mattison 2 1-2 7, Ethan Warriner 0 2-2 2, Vinny Joyce 2 2-4 6, Brody Vance 7 2-3 20, Colton Calladine 6 2-2 15, Gage Putnam 3 0-0 7. Totals: 20 9-13 57.
3-point goals: B-R 4 (Barkley 2, Pforter, Loucks), A/W 8 (Vance 4, Mattison 2, Calladine, Putnam).
Total Fouls: B-R 15, A/W 14. Fouled out: None.
Hinsdale 42, Friendship/Scio 30
FRIENDSHIP — For the third and final time this regular season, there was a score to be settled between Hinsdale and Friendship/Scio on Tuesday. In the rubber match of their three-game set, things would become nip and tuck across the opening sequences with each team holding a narrow advantage to close out the opening half on level playing ground.
But when the second half came around, the visiting Bobcats changed the complexion of the game entirely, opening it up with a massive run of Friendship/Scio that gave them all the room they needed to breakaway and clinch the season series outright, capturing the 42-30 win in Friendship.
The action in the first 16 minutes of play was closer than ever, as Hinsdale (5-7) and Friendship/Scio remained within a stone’s throw of one another, beginning with a first quarter lead that favored the Bobcats. On the offensive front, five different scorers allowed the visitors in blue and white to aid an 11-point frame to grab the one-point edge in the early-going.
In the second quarter, the action twisted towards Friendship/Scio’s favor, as they fought back with a 10-point sequence to tie the game with Hinsdale going into the break. The majority of the points came courtesy of Cooper Greenman, who scored all five of his points to energize the efforts and end the first half on a high note for the hosts in white.
When the second half took effect, Hinsdale would eliminate all momentum that was established by Friendship/Scio and in turn, ran the table effectively to assume command of the game with a 12-2 outscoring in the third quarter to break the deadlock and move towards what was ultimately the 2-1 season series win.
The Bobcats were propelled by a game-high 11-points from Tyler Richards. Henry Schwartz was right behind him with 10 points, while Cody Barton and Hunter Olver each had six.
Friendship/Scio was led by Jerome Harmon, Connor Blouvet and Deacon Brown, all of which recorded a team-leading six points. The team is now off until Sectional play next week, as they wrap up their regular season campaign with a record of 4-16 overall.
Hinsdale will close out their regular season slate back on the road tonight with a 6 p.m. visit to Houghton Academy.
Hinsdale 11 9 12 10 – 42
Friendship/Scio 10 10 2 8 – 30
HINSDALE: Brad Bergstrom 1 0-0 3, Henry Schwartz 4 0-4 10, Cody Barton 3 0-4 6, Hunter Olver 2 1-2 6, Tyler Richards 4 3-6 11, Robert Childs 2 0-0 4, Aiden Baird 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 4-16 42.
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Aiden Golden 1 0-4 2, Jerome Harmon 3 0-2 6, Connor Blouvet 2 2-7 6, Jerimiah Brown 1 0-0 2, Cooper Greenman 2 0-0 5, Deacon Brown 3 0-0 6, James Scranton 1 0-0 3. Totals: 13 2-13 30.
3-point goals: Hinsdale 4 (Schwartz 2, Olver, Richards), F/S 2 (Greenman, Scranton).
Total Fouls: Hinsdale 17, F/S 15. Fouled out: Barton (HIN).
Monday Basketball: GV/Belfast’s hot 1st quarter run, B-R’s Senior Night victory over Fri/Scio highlights girls hoops wins; C-R’s Wight smashes 3-point record with 10 at Houghton
CUBA — As of late, the Genesee Valley/Belfast ladies have been on fire. And at this very stage of the game, there is quite simply no better time for it than at this moment, here and now.
Winners in seven of their last eight games, Genesee Valley/Belfast’s aim was to keep that regular season-ending inferno burning all the way into Sectionals come next week. With one more obstacle in the shape of Cuba-Rushford standing in their way, it would provide an opportunity to add more fuel to their fire.
Right out of the gate on Gary Wight Court, they would do just that with a first quarter run that allowed them to twist the game in their favor against the Lady Rebels. With the hot hand of Abby Sullivan leading the way, they would not be denied victory at the end of the night, as they worked their way towards a 46-33 win to close out a stupendous second half to their regular season campaign.
Sullivan worked up some early first quarter magic for Genesee Valley/Belfast to get the party started from downtown, hitting all three of her triples to aid what was a 15-5 run of Cuba-Rushford, which would ultimately serve as the x-factor in the contest to give them a lead they never lost going forward.
But from the second quarter on, the Lady Rebels (5-13) would hang right with their visiting opposition in black, with the last three quarters of play being determined by no more than two points, including a 12-point last stand from the hosts in white and blue led by Brynn Lavery and her seven fourth quarter points.
Sullivan would finish as Genesee Valley/Belfast’s leading scorer behind a team-high 15 points. Sophie Zillgitt was not far behind, as she posted 12 points of her own. Mary Hamer recorded nine points.
For the Lady Rebels, Lavery concluded with 15 points to lead the way. Lily Tompkins had seven points. The regular season will come to a close for Cuba-Rushford tonight right back on their home floor, as they host Fillmore at 7:30 p.m. on Senior Night.
Genesee Valley/Belfast will now await their Sectional seeding this weekend before starting their playoff journey next week, as they wrap up the regular season campaign with a record of 16-4 overall.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 15 6 11 14 – 46
Cuba-Rushford 5 7 9 12 – 33
GV/BELFAST: Abby Sullivan 6 0-0 15, Sophie Zillgitt 6 0-2 12, Kendra Bigelow 1 0-0 2, Whitney Young 1 0-0 2, Mary Hamer 4 1-2 9, Jenna Hill 3 0-0 6. Totals: 21 1-4 46.
CUBA-RUSHFORD: Shae Maples 1 0-0 2, Lily Tompkins 3 1-2 7, Brynn Lavery 5 3-4 15, Mireya Rutkowski 1 0-0 2, Lilly Farwell 1 0-0 2, Raegan Poore 2 1-2 5. Totals: 13 5-8 33.
3-point goals: GVB 3 (Sullivan), C-R 2 (Lavery).
Total Fouls: GVB 11, C-R 11. Fouled out: None.
Bolivar-Richburg 43, Friendship/Scio 36
BOLIVAR — With the regular season beginning to wind down, Senior Night now took center stage for Caitlyn Steiner — the lone senior for the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg.
In what was their final game before the playoffs next week, Steiner and the Lady Wolverines took aim at a strong finish to their campaign with a visit from Friendship/Scio in store for Monday night. To start, they would have to navigate through a first quarter that saw both teams provide slow beginnings of the hardwood. But it was one that Friendship/Scio gained the edge on, holding the hosts to just an inside basket’s worth of points.
But it wasn’t about the start, it was more about how Bolivar-Richburg finished the first half propelling their way towards a deadlock behind a big finish that allowed them to turn the tide in the third quarter behind the counsel of Steiner and a big fourth quarter from Carmen Crowley along the way, as they swiped the momentum away from Friendship/Scio and scored a massive 43-36 victory.
“It was a great team win. It was one of the best games we’ve played all year,” said Lady Wolverines coach Hadley Ferris. “Every single one of the girls had a key part in the win, whether it was defense, offense or both. It was awesome to see Caitlyn and Carmen work together on both ends of the floor, Nadia (Baldwin) and Raegan (Giardini) did a great job limiting the (Nevaeh and Morghyn) Ross sisters. It was just an overall great team win, and it was nice to see the hard work pay off.”
Both offenses were slow to get off and running in the opening eight minutes, where it was primarily controlled by Friendship/Scio, as they posted six of the game’s first eight points to set up shop. But despite being held to just two points, the Lady Wolverines were able to fight back and provide a stellar finish to the opening half, posting a 14-point frame to tie the game at 16, with Crowley and Nadia Baldwin coming together to score 11 combined points.
In the same swing, it would allow Bolivar-Richburg to begin turning the momentum in their favor, as they posted a big third quarter run to hold Friendship/Scio in check, jogging off on a 15-8 jaunt led by Steiner inside, along with a pair of threes from Baldwin and Jaelyn Kinnicutt, to propel into the driver’s seat for the remainder of the way.
In the last eight minutes, Friendship/Scio continued to chip away at their deficit to remain right behind Bolivar-Richburg the remainder of the game, cutting it down to as low as six points. But the Lady Wolverines would hang on and claim victory to end their regular season on a high note.
Crowley and Steiner combined to record 29 of the team’s 43 total points, with Crowley’s 15 points leading the Lady Wolverines. Steiner pitched in with 14 points, while Baldwin followed with eight.
For Friendship/Scio, Emily Lamberson led the scoring with a team-high 10 points. Nevaeh Ross had nine points, while Morghyn Ross had six points off a pair of fourth quarter triples.
The regular season has reached its conclusion for both teams, as the wait for Sectionals now begins, with Bolivar-Richburg ending with a record of 5-12 overall, and Friendship/Scio standing at 10-8 overall.
Friendship/Scio 6 10 8 12 – 36
Bolivar-Richburg 2 14 15 12 – 43
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Grace Drumm 2 0-0 4, Emily Lamberson 5 0-0 10, Nevaeh Ross 4 1-2 9, Hunter Hint 1 1-3 3, Avery Lamberson 2 0-0 4, Sophie Bolzan 0 0-2 0, Morghyn Ross 2 0-0 6. Totals: 16 2-7 36.
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Nadia Baldwin 3 0-2 8, Jaelyn Kinnicutt 1 0-0 3, Raegan Giardini 0 0-2 0, Sydney Faulkner 1 1-2 3, Carmen Crowley 6 3-5 15, Caitlyn Steiner 5 4-5 14. Totals: 16 8-16 43.
3-point goals: F/S 2 (M. Ross), B-R 3 (Baldwin 2, Kinnicutt).
Total Fouls: F/S 19, B-R 14. Fouled out: None.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cuba-Rushford 59, Houghton Academy 33
HOUGHTON — There was some digging to be had early on for the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford on Monday, battling side-by-side with Houghton Academy for much of the opening sequences. While they continued to delve deep, that metaphorical shovel was later taken into possession by senior Braeden Wight.
With it, Wight proceeded to hit buried treasure. The contents inside: A new school record.
When the second quarter went into effect, the Cuba-Rushford senior went forth and proceeded to shoot the lights out inside the gym, knocking down six humongous three-pointers to aid the team’s largest stand of offense that helped turn the tide in their favor. In all, Wight would hit 10 triples from beyond the arc to become the school’s newest record-holder — the last being Josh Matijas back in 2009, in what was a 59-33 win for the Rebels over the host Panthers.
“It’s a testament to the other guys to make this big night for Braeden happen for him,” said Rebels coach Pat Wight. “Setting solid screens and looking for him. It was great to see that, and they were really excited for him once he was getting closer to breaking the record. The offense played great tonight, but we weren’t as locked in on defense as I would have liked us to be. Fillmore is coming up in a couple days, and we’ll need everything we got to go up against them. This will be a great, solid opponent to go into the playoffs with.”
Before the fireworks kicked into gear for the Rebels (12-7), they would have to traverse a closely-contested first quarter battle right alongside Houghton Academy to build their lead, going on top by an 11-6 count. With the advantage in hand, they would begin to proceed building it behind the guidance of Wight’s hot hand from the parking lot, as he put down a half-dozen triples to aid the team’s 21-7 run of the Panthers that kept them in the driver’s seat permanently.
Wight would go on to finish his historic night for Cuba-Rushford with a game-high 32 points. Adding assistance along the way was Tristan Clayson and his nine points, while Finn RIcketts had six.
For Houghton Academy, Josh Davidson sank four of the team’s six triples from outside to pace the offense with his team-leading 16 points. Jack Prentice chipped in with 11 of his own, while James Adenuga and Jack Qi rounded off the scoring with four and two points each, respectively. The Panthers will now await Sectionals coming up next week, as they finish the regular season with a record of 6-12 overall.
Cuba-Rushford heads back home for their regular season finale on Gary Wight Court coming up on Wednesday, as they prepare to host the Fillmore Eagles in a 7:30 p.m. showdown.
Cuba-Rushford 11 21 11 16 – 59
Houghton Academy 6 7 9 11 – 33
CUBA-RUSHFORD: Braeden Wight 11 0-0 32, Luke Brooks 0 2-4 2, Zach Deck 1 0-0 2, Eli Sleggs 1 0-0 3, Finn Ricketts 3 0-2 6, Tristan Clayson 4 0-0 9, Adam Roe 0 1-2 1, Peyton Joy 2 0-0 4. Totals: 22 3-8 59.
HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Jack Prentice 3 3-4 11, Josh Davidson 6 0-0 16, James Adenuga 2 0-0 4, Jack Qi 1 0-0 2. Totals: 12 3-4 33.
3-point goals: C-R 12 (Wight 10, Sleggs, Clayson), HA 6 (Davidson 4, Prentice 2).
Total Fouls: C-R 5, HA 6. Fouled out: None.
