ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – High School basketball is off and running in the Twin Tiers.
(Video Courtesy: Peish Sports)
Several showcase and tip-off tournaments took over the region on Saturday, kicking-off high school basketball season. Featuring the most Twin Tiers area teams, the Elmira College Girls High School Shootout returned to Speidel Gym for an exciting slate of games.
Defending Section IV Class AAA Champions Elmira capped off the exciting lineup of games, with a 59-42 win over Johnson City. Mariah Matias led a dominant effort for the Express, scoring 21 points, while being backed by Meya Smith’s 12. ZyAsiha Cade added 9 points to Elmira’s victory, including the opening 3 of the contest, igniting the Speidel Gym crowd.
Prior to the Express’ nightcap, Horseheads outlasted Nottingham 36-34, in a clash of defending Class AA section champions. Topped off by a buzzer beater from Maggie Tremaine, the Blue Raiders entered halftime with a comfortable 23-8 lead over the Bulldogs. Once the 2nd half opened, Nottingham stormed out of the gates, rallying all the way back within 1 point of HHS. With 30 seconds remaining Keymora Woods touched off the final 3 of her game-high 20 points, bringing the Bulldogs within 1.
As time ticked away, Nottingham was forced to foul, sending Sammie Bonnell to the line. The standout freshman split her free throws, leaving the Section III power down 2 points. In the final seconds, the Blue Raider defense clamped down, not allowing the Bulldogs to shoot before the buzzer.
Earlier in the day, Section IV Class AAA runners-up Corning suffered a setback against Union Springs, 49-33. The Wolves bested Charlise Starns’ game-high 21 points, with an impressive effort on both sides of the ball. Full court pressure bothered the Hawks, while Madison Kalet (20) and Jennifer Daum (12) combined for 32 of Union Springs’ 49 total points.
In the morning and early afternoon sessions of the showcase, the Edison girls kicked things off with a 42-39 victory over Spencer-Van Etten. Mali Huffner’s game-high 12 points led the Spartans, while Kaidince Root paced the Panthers with 12.
Elmira Notre Dame earned a win in the 2nd game of the day, besting Odessa-Montour 52-38. Payton Sutryk led the Crusaders with a game-high 25 points, while Kalysta DeMark tacked on 17. Leah Antes impressed despite the loss, scoring 23 of the Grizzlies’ total points in the effort.
In the 3rd contest of the showcase, Waverly delivered an outstanding performance, with a 58-19 win over Ithaca. The Wolverines cruised to the victory, behind a 19 point performance from Ryleigh Judson. Kendall Rockwell tacked on 15 in the effort.
In the Susquehanna Valley Girls Tip-Off Tournament, Watkins Glen recovered from an opening night loss. The Lake Hawks earned a 3rd place game win over Sidney 67-45, behind 20 points from Natalie Oliver. Oliver was named to the All-Tournament team alongside Sidney’s Nayla Miley after the contest.
On the boys side, Corning and Canisteo-Greenwood picked up impressive wins at the Way-Co Hall of Fame Showcase. Sophomore standout Nolyn Proudfoot guided the Hawks to a 71-31 rout of Olean, scoring 30 points to be named player of the game. Later in the day, the Chargers cruised past Hornell 65-42. C-G’s Carson Chaffee was named player of the game, with a 33 point, 12 rebound double-double, which included several blocks, and a slam dunk.
Results from Saturday night’s high school basketball action is listed below:
High School Girls Basketball:
Elmira College Girls High School Showcase at Speidel Gym –
Edison 42 – Spencer-Van Etten 39
Elmira Notre Dame 52 – Odessa-Montour 38
Waverly 58 – Ithaca 19
Union Springs 49 – Corning 33
Horseheads 36 – Nottingham 34
Elmira 59 – Johnson City 42
Susquehanna Valley Tip-Off Tournament –
3rd Place Game: Watkins Glen 67 – Sidney 45
High School Boys Basketball:
Lansing Tip-Off Tournament –
Championship: Union Springs 86 – Edison 51
Lansing 50 – Watkins Glen 46
Charlie Sibley Memorial Tournament –
Championship: Owego 61 – Candor 51
Way-Co Hall of Fame Showcase –
Corning 71 – Olean 31
Canisteo-Greenwood 65 – Hornell 42
Regular Season –
Seton Catholic 98 – Horseheads 36
Stick with 18 Sports for the latest on high school basketball in the Twin Tiers.
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