Baldwinsville’s girls basketball team did not need much motivation for Wednesday night’s game against visiting neighbor and rival Liverpool, but received large bundles of it anyway.
As if trying to avenge a 52-37 defeat to the Warriors on Dec. 20 wasn’t enough, there was the halftime ceremony where B’ville was going to honor its state Class AA championship girls volleyball team with the unveiling of the championship banner in the Baker High School gym.
With all of those currents running together, the Bees got one of its most satisfying victories of the season, leaning on its defense as the prime factor as it beat the Warriors 48-36.
Leading most of the way, B’ville doubled Liverpool’s total, 14-7, in the first quarter to set the tone. Then it was steady until the third quarter, when a string of Warrior turnovers translated into baskets on the other end as the lead stretched out to 45-31.
Despite a late drought, the Bees made it home as Hope DeFazio, with 16 points and three rebounds, led the way. Sarah Abraham stepped up, too, earning 14 points, while Rachael Miller anchored the defense with her six rebounds and seven blocked shots.
More than half of Liverpool’s production came from Rachael Windhausen, who finished with 19 points.
B’ville (11-4) pays a visit to Fayetteville-Manlius next Wednesday night before hosting Oswego on Friday during the last full week of the regular season, which concludes Feb. 11 at Corcoran.
