A whole lot more than a first-place trophy was attained by the Baldwinsville girls basketball team during its run to the title at its own season-opening Bill Middleton Tip-Off Tournament.
When the Bees defeated Homer 73-46 in Saturday’s championship game, it gave long-time head coach Kathy Morse her 300th victory with the B’ville program.
Over the last two decades, Morse has turned into a central figure in B’ville athletics. Not only has she found success on the basketball court, she has also coached the girls soccer team for a decade, leading them to Section III Class AA titles in 2008 and 2010.
This winter, Morse might have one of her best basketball sides, too. The Bees return nearly everyone from a 2013-14 side that reached the sectional Class AA quarterfinals before falling to West Genesee.
Win no. 299 for Morse came in last Friday afternoon’s opening round, the Bees rolling past Henninger 73-42 and offering a glimpse into its approach for the season ahead.
Applying plenty of defensive pressure, the Bees turned that quick tempo into Black Knights turnovers and baskets on the other end, steadily building a 42-15 halftime lead.
B’ville maintained that margin the rest of the way, getting big numbers from Hope DeFazio, who poured in 24 points, and Emily Pascale, who amassed 17 points, seven assists, five steals and five rebounds.
Riley Carlucci also hit double figures, finishing with 11 points, while Kate Walsh had nine points and five rebounds. Rachael Miller dominated in the paint, recording eight blocks to go with her six points and five rebounds. Chyna Butler (13 points) and Courtney Welch (10 points) led Henninger.
Meanwhile, in the other half of the opening round, Homer defeated Phoenix 66-40, setting up Saturday’s final between the Trojans and B’ville, which followed a consolation game where Henninger bounced back to beat the Firebirds 60-39.
The final mirrored the opening round, with the Bees matching its point total from Henninger and handling Homer 73-46 to gain Morse that 300th victory.
With most of her family on hand, Morse watched her B’ville team double up the Trojans 14-7 in the first quarter and then get away over the course of the next two periods, outscoring Homer 40-28 during that frame.
DeFazio remained consistent, earning 22 points to garner tournament MVP honors, and Pascale nearly got a double-double with her 12 points, nine assists and four steals, joining DeFazio on the All-Tournament team. Miller and Carlucci had nine points apiece, with Miller adding seven rebounds and six blocks.
Kaylee Lammers stepped up with eight points, with Katie Walsh adding six points and seven rebounds and Carolyn Brussel contributing five points. No one on Homer’s side reached double figures, though Macie Boyce (nine points), Hannah Casey and Madison Dimorier (seven points each) got close.
Receiving an autographed game ball from her team to commemorate the 300th win, Morse then went right back to work, and would have plenty of time to push her players through more practice. In all, 13 days will pass before B’ville resumes Dec. 11 against Auburn.
