By Rob Potter
LIBERTY — February 1, 2002 – Although each team was missing a key starting player in Monday night’s OCIAA Division III girls’ basketball game, Liberty was able to adjust better than Monticello.
The Lady Indians, playing without guard Christine Waryha, grabbed the lead for good in the second quarter. Liberty (5-8, 3-4 OCIAA) took a 30-21 lead into the lockerroom at halftime and held a comfortable margin in the third and fourth quarters to record the 57-39 over Monticello (5-7, 1-7 OCIAA), which was playing without center Brady Dollard.
Both Liberty Coach Ted Crowley and Monticello Coach Karen Atack were unsure of when Waryha and Dollard would return to their respective lineups.
Crowley noted that the entire Lady Indian squad stepped up their play to make up for Warhya’s absence. (The junior hurt her ankle in a recent practice.)
“We played good defense in the first half,” he said. “And as a team, we were really looking for each other on offense.”
Leading the way for the Lady Indians were Andrea TerBush, who had a game-high 16 points, and Lisa DeStefano, who netted 10 points. Katie Yaun and Nicole Daurio added nine and eight points, respectively.
While pleased to earn a victory over Monticello – which beat Liberty in a division game earlier this season – and with how his whole team competed, Crowley noted that a few players really stood out.
“Chelsea LaGattuta did a great job guarding Deidre Smith,” he commented, noting that Smith, a Monticello forward, scored only four points. “Chelsea didn’t really let her get inside and penetrate to the basket. Nicole (Daurio) was in the middle of our halfcourt zone trap and she did an excellent job. Keely Hamlin grabbed a few rebounds and Kristy Falkenmeyer played well.”
Monticello’s Nakia White lead the Lady Panther offense, netting 10 points. Bagina McCline nearly missed a double double, as she tallied nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
“It makes a big difference without her in the lineup,” Atack said of Dollard, who hurt herself last weekend while away from the basketball court. “She is our starting center and averages double figures in points and rebounds a game.”
Atack was disappointed with her team’s sloppiness. She noted that the Lady Panthers committed over 30 turnovers in the contest.
“That’s one of the ugliest games I’ve seen,” she said.
Atack, however, is not one to make excuses.
“Give Liberty the credit, they played better than we did tonight,” she said.