ONONDAGA COUNTY – Things would not be easy for any of the area’s high school girls basketball teams through their respective closing stretches.
But Bishop Grimes emerged best from this 2021 season, the Cobras continuing its late-season push last Tuesday by defeating Syracuse Academy of Science 58-44 to improve to 7-3 on the season.
Much like their earlier encounter in February, the Atoms did not make it easy, nearly matching the Cobras throughout the first three quarters and playing stellar defense.
But Grimes outscored SAS 25-13 in the fourth quarter to finally get away as, between them, Jenna Sloan and Alexis Emmi hit 12 free throws.
Sloan, overall, finished with 18 points, with Emmi’s 13 points including a pair of 3-pointers. Natalie Musolino stepped up, too, earning 11 points as Naywel Ayeil had seven points.
Even better for Grimes was the way it played against Christian Brothers Academy two nights later, the Cobras overwhelming the Brothers in a 66-30 romp.
During the second and third quarters, Grimes outscored CBA 38-11, and Sloan led the way, gaining 20 points as Emmi put up 15 points. Natalie Musolino gained seven points as Avery Burnette and Althea Simmons had six points apiece.
All of this made last Saturday’s 57-50 defeat to Nottingham a bit easier to take.
Sloan was sensational, earning 24 points, but the Buldogs countered with Amaya Williams netting 23 points, Nazjae Howard getting 16 points and 15 rebounds and Zyhona Glen earning 18 rebounds to go with her 18 points.
Fayetteville-Manlius had to go up against Liverpool and Baldwinsville on back-to-back nights early last week, and lost both times.
The Hornets’ 57-34 defeat to Liverpool saw it grab a 12-10 lead through one quarter, only to have the Warriors zoom in front before halftime and then dominate the rest of the way.
Lexie Roe managed 23 points, but the rest of the F-M roster had just four total field goals. On the Warriors’ side, Naveah Wingate had 20 points, helped by Victoria Morgan (10 points) and Karlyssa Shifflett (eight points).
Then F-M fell 69-34 to Baldwinsville a night later, with Roe held to 13 points as Evie Kawa gained eight points. Kyrah Wilbur and Sydney Huhtala each got 13 points for the Bees, with Hannah Mimas and Mattison Phinney getting 10 points apiece.
And the season ended in a frustrating manner for F-M, who was tied Saturday with West Genesee going to the final seconds before taking a 40-38 defeat to the Wildcats.
Roe had, one more time, carried F-M’s attack, earning 24 points and pushing the game to a 38-38 tie, but as time ran out a Wildcats shot was rebounded to Catie Cunningham, who put in the game-winner.
East Syracuse Minoa lost 67-42 to Central Square last Wednesday night on a night where Redhawks head coach Kevin Brazell picked up his 400th career victory.
The milestone was marked by Central Square’s all-time scoring leader, Juila Mann, picking up 30 points and Morgan Ransom adding 16 points. For the Spartans, only Angelina Polcaro, with 13 points, reached double figures.
Winless on the season, CBA could not keep up with Bishop Ludden, who maintained control of the “Holy War” last Tuesday by defeating the Brothers for the second time this season in a 55-37 decision.
Once the Gaelic Knights sprinted out to a 33-17 halftime advantage, CBA played on relatively even terms the rest of the way, Emily Ball gaining 12 points and Kailey Campbell adding 10 points.
Ludden had too much on hand, though, especially sophomore Amarah Streiff, who with 28 points nearly matched the Brothers by herself as Lauren Petrie got 12 points.
