The state’s top-ranked Class A girls basketball team, in pursuit of a third consecutive state title and a seventh straight Section III title, came into the sectional playoffs with a two-game losing streak.
Yet it’s no reason for real concern. Just before the sectional tournament, Jamesville-DeWitt tested itself with two games against New Jersey private-school powerhouses on Feb. 10 and 11.
First, the Red Rams took a narrow 40-38 defeat to Gill St. Bernard. Then, against St. John Villaney a day later, J-D got overwhelmed in a 60-35 loss, shut out by the Lancers for the entire second quarter during a 16-0 run.
Ultimately, Gabby Stickle, with 11 points, was the only Rams player to hit double figures against Villaney as Meg Hair had eight points and Andrea Sumida added six points.
Before it joined J-D in the sectional Class A bracket, Christian Brothers Academy closed its regular season last Monday against Cortland, honoring its two seniors (Olivia Carni and Julia Boule), and then defeating the Purple Tigers 51-29.
Other than a quiet third quarter, the Brothers had control, leading 34-17 by halftime. All 10 players that saw action got at least one field goal.
Emily Hall earned eight of her team-high 13 points at the free-throw line, with Brooke Jarvis getting nine points. Carni and Victoria Hall had six points apiece as Kaily Campbell got five points.
Eight teams made the sectional Class A bracket. As the top seed, J-D would host no. 8 seed Watertown Tuesday just as no. 5 seed CBA visited no. 4 seed Oswego. If both teams won, the Red Rams and Brothers would face each other in this weekend’s semifinals.
