Given little time to rest after its first defeat of the season to West Genesee on Dec. 23, the Baldwinsville girls basketball team got a chance to start winning again – and did so, claiming the top prize in the Vince Celi Memorial Tournament at East Syracuse-Minoa.
During Tuesday’s opening round against defending Class A champion Whitesboro, the Bees took control early, but had to hang on late to beat the Warriors 55-44.
A 10-0 run in the first quarter pushed B’ville ahead for good. By halftime, the margin was 33-20, and it appeared out of reach when the Bees stretched the margin to 41-23 by the start of the final period.
But amid a string of fouls and turnovers, Whitesboro whittled the margin to five, 49-44, before the Bees made five of six free throws in the final minute.
Maggie Monnat lived at the foul line, making 13 of the 18 free throws she attempted to finish with 22 points overall. Liz Giromini chimed in with a season-best 14 points, while Angelica Romeu had six points. Kayleigh Camarota (22 points) and Jennifer Deuel (18 points) accounted for most of Whitesboro’s offense.
This led to Wednesday’s final against host ESM, who had held off Auburn 50-43 in the other part of the opening round. The title game turned into a bruising defensive battle, but led again by Monnat, the Bees got past the Spartans 38-33.
Even when ESM raced out to a 13-4 as B’ville slumped through the first quarter, the visitors did not panic. Instead, it cranked up its own pressure and made up the margin by halftime, going to the break in a 17-17 tie.
They stayed on even terms until the fourth quarter, when the Bees used an extra burst of energy to hold the Spartans to four points and get in front of good.
Named a tournament MVP for the second time in December (she also got it at the Bill Middleton Tournament), Monnat, with 20 points, accounted for more than half of B’ville’s offense. Giromini, with seven points, and Andrea Moore, with six points, offered some help. Rebecca Nelson and Gabby Eure led ESM with 11 points apiece.
At 6-1 on the season, B’ville returns to action Tuesday, at Auburn, and is not home again until a Jan. 12 encounter with Corcoran.
