No other Section III Class AA girls basketball team had seen as much game action as Baldwinsville in the first month of the season, with six games in the books before it hit the heart of its CNY Counties League slate.
Of course, three of those games were in Florida, and the Bees lost two of them. But the Dec. 15-17 experience at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex was important for the increased competition B’ville faced and, of course, the team bonding that takes place hundreds of miles from home.
So it was a stronger, more cohesive Bees side that hosted Liverpool last Tuesday night. Vividly remembering that the Warriors knocked them out of last year’s sectional tournament in the quarterfinal round, B’ville got a bit of payback here, pulling away late to prevail 63-46.
That a late surge was required was a tribute to Liverpool’s resilience. A close, high-scoring first quarter saw the Warriors finish in front 17-16, but the Bees appeared to gain full command by shutting down the visitors and outscoring them 18-3 the rest of the half.
Still, Liverpool climbed back within single digits by the end of the third quarter. With the score 42-34, B’ville, who got field goals from all eight players in its rotation, steadily regained its earlier margin as time wound down.
To lead the Bees, Carolyn Brussel did a bit of everything, ranging from 17 points to eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Jenna Costello finished with 14 points and three rebounds.
Claire McAllister stepped up for 10 points and five rebounds, while Katie Pascale netted seven points, six assists and four rebounds. Kaylee Lammers, held to six points, still managed five rebounds and three assists as Mackenzie Schaffner picked up six rebounds.
On Liverpool’s side, much of the offense was done by Kyra Grimshaw, who earned 20 points and nine rebounds. Jenna Wike was contained well by B’ville, held to 10 points, though she also had nine rebounds and added four assists. Amanda Barnell had 10 rebounds as Bella Barner finished with seven points and five rebounds. Holly Sleeth, held to three points, contributed three steals and four rebounds.
B’ville had a far easier time of it in Thursday night’s 61-26 win at Henninger, bolting out to a 20-3 lead by the end of the first period and eventually building that margin to 48-16 before the starters rested in the third quarter.
All 11 Bees players that saw action earned at least one field goal. Lammers led with 12 points, with Costello adding 10 points and four rebounds. Alena Criss got six points and four rebounds as Brussel got five rebounds, four steals and four assists, Pascale managed five steals and McAllister picked up seven rebounds.
Improving to 6-2 on the season, B’ville would rest throughout the holiday break and not have a game for 15 days until a key Jan. 6 showdown at West Genesee.
