Spartans survive Comets

Those anticipating another 40-point blowout victory by the South Jefferson girls basketball team were treated to a fantastic matchup Saturday as the Spartans escaped with a mere six-point win over Carthage in the "A/B" Division crossover championship at Jefferson Community College.

The Spartans finally took the lead for good two minutes into the fourth quarter and closed out with a 42-36 triumph to improve to 18-0 overall.

"We played with composure and we played fast," South Jefferson sophomore Amanda Roberts said. "We just needed to keep running and play fast and wear them down. We knew it'd pay off in the end."

Maddy Wetterhahn generated 13 points, including 11 in the second half, to lead a balanced Spartans offense.

For Carthage (12-6), Sarah Johnson generated 15 points, 11 of them in the second half, and finished with a 7-for-7 performance at the free-throw line.

Joelle Percy, who finished with 10 points for the Comets, connected on a 3-pointer at the end of the first half to tie the score at 16.

A previous matchup between these teams resulted in a lop-sided 66-25 victory for the Spartans on Dec. 19.

"We beat them fairly handily the first time, and I told my kids you need to put that out of your minds because they're a completely different team than they were early in the season," South Jefferson coach Pat Bassett said. "We expected this to be a war, and itwasa war inside. It was the most physical game we've played in a while. And it's not surprising with Sarah Johnson in there. Sarah's a warrior, and I knew she would not go lightly."

The Comets met, and at times surpassed, South Jefferson's defensive intensity, especially in the first two quarters.

"I think our press got them a little off balance," Johnson said. "We came out on our toes, and I'm sure they expected to push the ball against us and it just didn't happen."

Carthage coach Randi Smith credited Kailah Kempney, who made five steals, for leading their defensive efforts.

"There's not a doubt in my mind that Kailah Kempney is the key on the top of our trap," Smith said. "Her foot speed, her quickness, her physical endurance just wreaks havoc on the opponent's offense. She may not get the steal every time, but she gets the touch on the ball that allows somebody else to pick up the steal or forces the other team to have to rush their shots."

Bassett said the pressure didn't take his team by surprise, but it did stall them from their running game.

"We didn't do a good enough job of attacking their press early on, and it did slow us down," Bassett said. "Our whole thing was try to play fast the entire game, and we'll wear them down, and it'll show up in the end. Eventually that did happen, and I think they got tired the last four minutes of the game."

The Spartans never managed a third-quarter lead until freshman Brooke VanCoughnett took a pass from Wetterhahn for the short jumper with two minutes on the clock. VanCoughnett followed that up with a steal and a layup and then a 3-pointer to give the Spartans a 30-24 advantage. Johnson closed out the third quarter with two free throws as the Comets trailed by four.

Early in the fourth quarter, two free throws by Johnson and a 3-pointer by Percy gave Carthage its last lead as Wetterhahn dropped in three free throws for the Spartans.

Johnson, who finished with 10 rebounds, said their chance for the big upset faded in the last minutes by not getting back on defense and allowing the Spartans more than one shot.

"In the second half the rebounds and the putbacks are what killed us," Johnson said.

This matchup proved a valuable opportunity for both teams as they prepare for the Section 3 playoffs.

"It's definitely a good experience to have to face their pressure because we never really see much of it during the season," Roberts said. "We needed to handle their pressure and not panic."

Said Smith: "I can't say enough about how proud I am that we just played the No. 1 ranked (Class B) team in New York State and we played the game of a lifetime."

IHC 64, GENERAL BROWN 51

Caitlin McGraw accounted for 20 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Cavaliers to the "A/B" Division consolation victory at JCC.

Jillian Young struck for 18 points, including five 3-pointers, while Adriana Spicer tallied six assists and four steals. Danielle Zimmer distributed five assists, and Angela Vespa made four steals for Immaculate Heart Central (10-8).

Lindsay Hanson scored 22 points for the Lions (10-8).