More than likely, the Fayetteville-Manlius girls basketball team is making its way toward a no. 2 seed for the Section III Class AA playoffs.
By far, the Hornets’ biggest obstacle to that mark was West Genesee, and when the two sides clashed in Camillus Tuesday night, F-M got away in the fourth quarter to beat the Wildcats by a score of 49-41.
WG, 6-12 a season ago, had vastly improved under first-year coach Dan Hallinan, something the Hornets experienced first-hand for much of this contest.
Trailing for most of the first half, F-M did pull within one, 23-22, by halftime, but even as it inched in front in the third period, neither side could make a sustained run. WG’s Melissa Fumano, who finished with 21 points, kept her side within range.
However, F-M’s depth and balance shone through in the final period, where it outscored the Wildcats 15-8. Kiley Shoemaker, with 14 points, and Lauren Getman, with 13 points, led that effort as Charlotte Beers contributed nine points.
Meanwhile, the F-M boys basketball team also met West Genesee, who had just clinched its own sectional playoff berth. Not caring one bit, the Hornets took control early and rolled to a 79-66 victory over the Wildcats.
Fuming from its 34-point showing in a loss at Utica Proctor on Jan. 26, F-M reached that total midway through the second quarter here. WG could not keep up as the Hornets blazed to a 44-21 halftime lead.
From there, the Hornets nursed the margin behind John Schurman, who posted 27 points and added seven rebounds. Tomer Nesher had 16 points, with Louis Avellino producing 11 points, mostly from a trio of 3-pointers.
Jake Wittig managed nine assists to go with his seven points as T.J. Wheatley got six points and seven rebounds. Zach Tucker also had six points.
