Basketball

Work zone

Tri-Valley’s pressure and hustle lead to win over young Eldred

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ELDRED, NY — Building a cohesive basketball team is grueling work, especially when many of the players are young and relatively inexperienced. Much of that learning has to take place in the heat of games and such was the case as Tri-Valley and Eldred entered the school of hard knocks in their scrappy crossover battle on December 14.

Both teams struggled mightily last season with Tri-Valley accruing only six wins; Eldred had garnered only one by season’s end. Both teams have players returning from last season, along with newcomers just cutting their teeth only a few games into the young season.

In terms of returning veterans, Tri-Valley has the clear edge in this regard as it brings back more players from last year’s campaign. Eldred’s rebuilding project centers around three-year veteran center Gabby Westfall, with help from returning Sara Bisland and Rachel Smith. Megan Kean returns to play in her final year after missing last season following knee surgery.

The Bears were paced early on by AAU-experienced Kelly McNamara. Her ability to create her own shot, crash the boards for rebounds and see the floor well helped Tri-Valley get out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter. McNamara scored the first five of the Bears’ points and had eight by the end of the opening frame.

Teammate Jakki Pugh did a good job of boxing out Eldred’s Westfall and Smith. Pugh had four points in the first quarter, as did Kathryn Schneyer who joined the team in lieu of running indoor track, which occupied her time last winter.

Coach Karen Andrews’ emphasis on speed, hustle and fighting for every ball was key in Tri-Valley’s 70-34 win over Eldred. It was the Bears’ second win of the season against one loss, a one-point squeaker against Livingston Manor. Tri-Valley’s other win came against league rival Chester.

With her team lacking size, Andrews’ insistence on tough, man-to-man defense with rotating help made it difficult for Eldred to get the ball up the floor to array itself into a half-court set. With the heat on the ball, Westfall was unable to settle into the low post where she can do the most damage.

Tri-Valley’s press, especially on the inbounds pass, had Eldred flustered. Rather than passing over the top as they were being repeatedly advised by coach Frank Kean, the Lady Yellowjackets tried unsuccessfully to dribble through Tri-Valley’s trapping defense.

At other times after catching the ball, Eldred players would bring it down waist high where it could be tied up by Tri-Valley defenders who reached for every ball. To their credit, Eldred players did the same and forced a number of possession changes by tying up the ball as well.

Tri-Valley’s Skylar Musa had a spate of first-quarter steals, as did her teammates, forcing nine Eldred turnovers in the early going. Although Musa was not a factor in scoring in this game, her defense most certainly was. By night’s end, she had seven steals and five assists.

Eldred’s Meaghan Hazen broke the drought at 2:56. She had four of Eldred’s points in the first quarter as the Lady ‘Jackets trailed 18-6 at the end of the period.

Eldred did a better job of breaking the press in the second quarter and its production rose accordingly. Westfall netted four of the Lady ‘Jackets’ 14 points in the quarter as Jill Harris, Lauren Hazen, Bisland and Smith also tallied points. Tri-Valley led 32-17 at the break, paced by five second-quarter points from Schneyer, four from Anneliese Hartman and two each from Katelyn Exner and Laurel Wilsen.

In the third quarter, Eldred’s earlier turnover woes returned with attempts to dribble through pressure. The Lady Yellowjackets coughed it up 10 times in the frame.

Meanwhile, Tri-Valley got great penetration, paced by Pugh’s seven points and six from Exner. McNamara added four in the frame, as the Bears limited Eldred to five points in the quarter and extended their lead to 46-22 heading into the final frame.

Both teams shot the ball better in the fourth quarter. Hartman showed fine shooting mid range from the left side and canned seven of her team’s 24 points in the quarter. Exner had six and game high-scorer Schneyer netted five of her eventual 14 points.

Eldred’s balanced scoring in the fourth quarter is good news for Kean, who saw Lauren and Meaghan Hazen as well as Bisland, Westfall, Harris and Maxine Ellert all score to give Eldred its best quarter. Eldred needs to get to the free throw line more, though. They were six for nine from the stripe as compared to Tri-Valley, which was 14-for-24.

Westfall led Eldred (0-3) with 10 points. Schneyer’s 14 was tops for the Bears. She was abetted by 13 from Hartman and 12 each from McNamara and Pugh. Tri-Valley improved to 2-1 adding to its prior win over Chester.

Andrews was pleased with her team’s assertiveness. “We don’t have a tall team. I’ve got Kaylie Ackerley starting at center at five foot six,” she said. Ackerley was the team MVP as a sophomore, but missed last season with a knee injury. Andrews added, “We’ve got to play with a lot of heart and take advantage of our speed. Tonight we seemed to take it to the basket. We do drills diving for loose balls in practice.” Andrews said her team has great chemistry, despite the fact that it is built primarily on sophomores and juniors.

Tri-Valley had a much tougher time as it fell to Highland 53-30 on December 17. The Lady Huskies were in the Class B finals a year ago after ousting Sullivan West before losing to Burke in the title game. The Lady Bears hosted Roscoe on December 18 and tough Class D contender Chapel Field on December 20.

Kean said, “As a bunch of young girls, this team has to accomplish what it’s doing in practice, in actual games.” Kean reiterated the team’s learning curve when it comes to getting the ball up the floor and breaking the press.

“We need time on this court right now and I’m very patient. These girls have to learn how to play varsity ball, and once that comes, we’ll be fine,” he added. Eldred will get a rematch with Livingston Manor on December 20, a team they lost to in their own tournament. Eldred’s other loss came against Tuxedo.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of game photos.