While the Baldwinsville girls basketball team enjoyed winning its own Bill Middleton Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 29-30, it knew that such a victory wouldn’t mean much unless the success continued against CNY Counties League foes.
The Bees would make it 3-0, though, when it ventured to Auburn last Wednesday night and overcame a sluggish start with a strong push in the game’s middle stages, which led to a 66-56 victory over the Maroons.
Auburn broke through B’ville’s defenses early, leaving the visitors in a 15-10 deficit at the end of the first quarter. That was gone by halftime, though, as a multi-pronged Bees attack produced a string of baskets.
Ahead 33-30 at the break, B’ville continued to push the tempo in the third quarter – and it worked, the lead extending to 50-41, and it had a ready answer every time the Maroons wanted to inch closer down the stretch.
Four Bees players finished in double figures. Point guard Emily Pascale dished out 10 assists to go with her 18 points and four rebounds, while Sarah Abraham drained four 3-pointers to account for most of her 16 points on the night.
Inside, Hope DeFazio led the way, putting up 14 points and adding six rebounds, while Rachael Miller contributed eight rebounds and Kaylee Lammers stepped up for 12 points. Annie Giannone led Auburn with 21 points and eight assists.
Two nights later, B’ville went back on the road, this time to face Central Square, and it was Pascale continuing to display her vast improvement as the Bees got its fourth win in a row, holding on to defeat the Red Hawks 54-49.
The key surge came in the second quarter. Central Square led, 17-11, when the Bees’ pressure started to work, the Red Hawks getting just five points in that frame, giving B’ville ample time to string together a run that produced a 26-22 edge at the break.
From there, it was tight the rest of the way. Every time Central Square tried to catch up, the Bees answered, especially Pascale, who set a career mark with 24 points, adding eight rebounds and four steals.
Miller starred in the paint, getting a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, plus six blocks. DeFazio had six points as Katie Walsh and Riley Carlucci each got five points. Claudia Stirpe, with 16 points, led Central Square’s effort.
If B’ville could handle Henninger on Monday night, it would carry a 5-0 record into Thursday’s key early-season showdown with Liverpool.
