For its work during the holiday break, the Baldwinsville girls basketball team went east, to Amsterdam High School, to take part in the College Holiday Showcase, where it found plenty of success while beating a pair of Section II opponents.
In its opening game Monday night, the Bees met the host school, Amsterdam, and strong starts to each half made the difference as B’ville, led by a big effort from Emily Pascale, defeated the Rams 53-40.
Defensively, the Bees were sharp at the outset, holding Amsterdam to six points in the first quarter. Eventually, the margin grew to 30-20 by halftime, but by limiting the Rams to nine points in the third period, B”ville built its eventual winning margin.
All through the game, Pascale excelled, earning 22 points, plus seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Riley Carlucci and Kaylee Lammers offered support with 10 points and four rebounds apiece as Carolyn Brussel managed nine rebounds, six points, five assists, three blocks and two steals. Rachel Foertch and Mackenzie Schaffner each gained five rebounds.
Less than 24 hours later, the Bees met Guilderland, another Section II foe, and were behind most of the way before a stirring late comeback produced a 49-47 victory over the Lady Dutch.
Much of the game was played at a tempo to Guilderland’s liking, so B’ville had to stay patient and hang close – which it did, only trailing by five, 35-30, going to the fourth quarter, where it started to wear the Lady Dutch down and produce key baskets while outscoring Guilderland 19-12 to pull it out.
Carlucci regained her dominant form in the paint, piling up 19 points and 13 rebounds, plus three blocks. Lammers helped out with 12 points and three rebounds, with Brussel adding nine points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Pascale managed seven points, six rebounds and four assists as Schaffner gained five rebounds.
When CNY Counties League play resumes, a big game takes place next Tuesday night as B’ville (8-2) met Fayetteville-Manlius (8-1), whose lone defeat of the season came Dec. 22 against Liverpool. Then the Bees host Henninger on Jan. 8.
