CENTRAL NEW YORK – In their own unique manners, girls basketball teams from West Genesee and Marcellus rounded into winning form during the first full week of December, each of them going 2-0.
The Wildcats opened its season last Wednesday night, putting away Rome Free Academy 60-50 in a game where it dominated the first half, steadily gaining a 36-20 advantage.
Though it cooled off a bit late, the Wildcats still won as Alaina Dudzinski poured in 17 points and Bella Quinones was close behind, earning 16 points. Maddie Newkirk-Mayer had nine points, Hannah Sparks eight points and Maddie Snow seven points.
Even more impressive for WG was Friday’s game against visiting Jamesville-DeWitt, where Quinones continued to break out and her teammates followed to produce a 56-44 victory.
Strong on both ends, the Wildcats held the Red Rams to just four points in the second quarter, establishing a 26-14 lead that it protected by shooting well in the third quarter even as J-D’s attack came to life.
Quinones, in particular, stood out, her 21 points featuring a trio of 3-pointers as Mia Raymond stepped up, too, getting 13 points. Dudzinski and Emily Schiffer had six points apiece.
Marcellus, who lost its season opener Nov. 30 to reigning sectional Class B champion Cortland, earned its first win of the season last Tuesday at Phoenix, outscoring the Firebirds 17-5 in the second quarter to take charge and hanging on from there to defeat the Firebirds 49-41.
Freshman Tenly Baker continued her quick start to the season, leading Marcellus with 19 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Gabby Voss also converted three times beyond the arc on her way to nine points as Cece Powell found her form with 15 points.
Then the Mustangs’ defense featured in Friday’s 34-28 victory over Christian Brothers Academy, who had jumped out to a 2-0 star this season behind back-to-back 30-point performances by Chiana Williams.
But Marcellus held Williams to 11 points and went in front when it limited CBA to a mere two points in the second quarter. Powell, on the other end, matched Williams’ 11 points, with Voss getting nine points and Baker adding eight points.
