Sustaining a perfect run through the CNY Counties Legaue will take all of the West Genesee girls basketball team’s talents, especially with tough games remaining in the regular-season homestretch.
That included last Tuesday night’s game against visiting Liverpool, who would stay within close range most of the night, but never make it too scary for the Wildcats, who prevailed, 60-46, over the Warriors.
Back on Jan. 10, the two were supposed to meet on the Warriors’ home court, but it got postponed. Changes to the schedule meant that, when the first meeting finally took place last Tuesday night, it was in Camillus, with the rematch set for Liverpool exactly two weeks later.
Only up by two, 15-13, after one period, WG saw the pace vary from a quiet second quarter to a busy third quarter. The common thread in both periods was that the Wildcats would keep gradually building its margin and not let the Warriors get too close.
Camryn Chawgo hit four -3-pointers to match Mackenzie Smith’s total of 16 points and Madison Smith added 15 points. Haley Collins nearly reached double figures, too, finishing with nine points. For Liverpool, Kyra Grimshaw would pour in 18 points and Jenna Wike, aided by three 3-pointers, gained 17 points. But none of their teammates had more than Lexi Emmi’s total of five points.
Still at home Friday night, WG handled Cicero-North Syracuse. Looking to improve to 15-2, the Wildcats had to work hard against the Northstars, but its control of the game’s middle stages made the difference as it prevailed 45-29.
Having prevailed 40-28 at C-NS on Dec. 23, the Wildcats knew that it would have to work hard for baskets against a young Northstars squad that, if nothing else, knew how to defend.
During the second quarter, the hard work produced results, as WG broke out of a 9-9 tie to grab a 25-18 halftime lead. By the end of the third quarter, the margin was 40-23, and the Wildcats could make it from there.
Each of the eight WG players that saw action converted at least one field goal, with Mya Case taking charge thanks to her 13 points, which included three 3-pointers. Chawgo had seven points, with Aleysha Castanon contributing six points. Katilyn Walker and Madison Smith had five points apiece.
While awaiting a Feb. 7 trip to Liverpool, WG would, in the meantime, take on Nottingham and then, on Thursday night, venture to Baldwinsville as the Bees looked to avenge the 51-25 rout the Wildcats gave them on Jan. 6 in Camillus.
