Putting together a solid finish to its regular-season slate, the Baldwinsville girls basketball team went to Henninger last Thursday night and earned a 57-43 victory over the Black Knights to move its record to 9-11.
With an active offense that fed off turnovers and defensive pressure, the Bees went in front early and made its decisive move in the second quarter, outscoring Henninger 18-6 to move its halftime lead to 37-19.
Before resting in the fourth quarter, Lauren Brower dominated in the paint, producing 19 points. Claire Monnat worked her way to 14 points, while Erika Bulken earned 12 points. Henninger’s Shalisia Jackson led her side with 15 points.
As this was going on, the B’ville boys team gave Henninger, the defending Class AA champions, a real fight at the Baker High School gym before before taking a 57-49 loss to the Black Knights.
Coming off an exhausting overtime effort at Fayetteville-Manlius two nights earlier, Henninger still brought its defense, holding the Bees to six points in the first quarter.
But B’ville refused to go away, playing the Black Knights to a virtual draw throughout the remaining three periods, showing how much it had grown during this season, especially on the defensive side.
Tyler Monnat, who had 16 points, matched Henninger’s Kihary Blue as the night’s top scorer. Kevin Roy and Chris Whelan each had 11 points, which kept B’ville close.
