To the very end, the West Genesee girls basketball team fought and battled for its life in last Tuesday night’s Section III Class AA quarterfinal against Christian Brothers Academy.
It was the opening part that proved to be an important part of the Wildcats’ undoing, as it never had a lead and was always trying to catch up in the course of a 63-51 loss to the Brothers.
As the no. 6 seed, WG had ousted Central Square in the first round on Feb. 19, but knew the level of way would pick up here.
CBA had competed in the OHSL Freedom division during the regular season, where it had not lost in 17 tries, but with an all-star backcourt in Kayla Stroman and Leanne Ockenden, the Brothers were quite capable of winning at this higher level.
That became evident right away when, in the game’s opening minutes, CBA reeled off six points before WG could take a shot.
So began a long, winding chase for the Wildcats — and to its credit, it would not allow the Brothers to get away too quickly.
Down 20-12 after one period, WG slowed it down during the second quarter and pulled back within six, 30-24, as Alyssa Sutherland continued to work her way inside for baskets.
But CBA answered with a 20-8 push through the third quarter, and its pressure took a toll. Even as it tried to come back in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats did so without Allie Kotula, who fouled out early in that frame after getting 10 points.
Sutherland would foul out just before time expired. In her last high-school appearance, the Loyola (Md.)-bound senior was sensational again, earning 28 points to lead both sides. Kelsey Myers added seven points.
As for CBA, it placed four players in double figures. Ockenden led with 18 points, while Stroman produced 14 points and served as a strong defensive anchor. Victoria Johnson had 12 points and Michele Wiese came off the bench to earn 11 points.
WG finished with a record of 14-8, and will find it difficult to match that kind of mark next winter as Sutherland moves on.