ONONDAGA COUNTY – Area high school girls basketball teams are now underway, many of them finding some early-season success at the expense of one another.
Jamesville-DeWitt has already knocked off two local rivals, following up its Dec. 1 romp of Bishop Grimes by turning back Fayetteville-Manlius 34-27 in last Tuesday night’s season opener for the Hornets.
Having gone 9-13 a season ago, F-M took a while to get itself going, held to just two points in the first quarter and then finding itself getting just two points in the third period.
Though far from sharp itself, the Red Rams got through thanks to Aniyah Neal, who poured in 21 points, and Macy Durkin, who had eight points. Combined, they had eight of J-D’s nine field goals as Lydia Davidson (eight points) and Morgan Goodman (seven points) paced F-M.
J-D did not have a letdown on Friday, either, handing 2-0 Cortland its first defeat of the season in a 49-37 decision which was close most of the way thanks to two solid defenses.
Yet it was the Rams outscoring the Purple Tigers 17-7 in the fourth quarter, led by Durkin, whose 16 points topped all individuals. Saide Withers and Ava Sandroni had eight points apiece and Grace Hobika added six points.
East Syracuse Minoa improved its mark to 2-0 when, in last Tuesday’s SCAC Empire division opener at Fulton, it pulled out a 42-37 decision over the Red Raiders.
A close, low-scoring first half picked up in pace late, and the Spartans were able to withstand all of Fulton’s charges thanks mostly to Aniya Jones, who poured in 18 points.
Angelina Polcaro, with eight points, and Isabella Kroll, with six points, provided some help, with Grace Clary leading Fulton, though her 12 points did not match Jones’ production.
Going to 3-0 on Friday night, ESM put away Carthage 49-33, building a 31-14 advantage on the Comets by halftime and keeping it up the rest of the way.
And it was pretty much a two-player show, Polcaro pouring in 18 points and Jones getting 17 points as only Hannah Mukich, with 17 points, hit double figures for Carthage.
Christian Brothers Academy gave new head coach Mike Cariseo his first victory at the helm last Tuesdeay when it romped past Homer 48-23.
The Brothers blanked the Trojans in the first quarter and, after that 11-0 start, never got caught, Chianna Williams nearly matching Homer by herself thanks to her 19 points as Sydney Vaughn added nine points and Amelia Bonacci got six points.
But when CBA took on F-M Thursday night, it was the Hornets finding its way to the win column, the third quarter proving decisive in a 47-39 victory over the Brothers.
A long first-half exchange left the teams in close quarters, but F-M, in that third period, outscored CBA 18-10, largely due to Ashley Schneider, who hit five 3-pointers overall and finished the night with 22 points.
Doing all she could for the Brothers, Williams earned 23 points, but only Vaughn, with nine points, offered consistent help as Goodman (seven points) and Evie Kawa (six points) would help the Hornets hang on late.
As for Bishop Grimes, it trailed early last Tuesday against West Genesee, but used a 13-2 push through the second quarter to jump out in front and stayed there, eventually defeating the Wildcats 49-41.
Kierra Baxter, helped by a trio of 3-pointers, finished with 19 points overall. Seventh-grader Aaliyah Zachery continued to impress with 13 points as Loyi Mugushu contributed 11 points.
During Saturday’s 68-38 loss to Indian River, Grimes discovered why the Warriors are a top Class A contender as the Cobras fell to 2-3 and IR improved to 4-0.
