By Ted Waddell
WEST POINT — March 04, 2003–In a rather lackluster game on both sides of the ball, the Lady Blue Devils of Roscoe Central School defeated the Livingston Manor Central School Lady Wildcats 45-31 to be crowned Section IX Class D champions.
The game was played Sunday afternoon at Christl Arena on the campus of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.
Roscoe (18-3) led 16-11 on the way to the locker room.
The championship game featured rival teams known for winning sectional titles. The Lady Blue Devils won the Section IX Class D title in 2000 and 2002, while the Lady Wildcats reigned as champs from 1997 to 1999.
With the win over Manor (14-8), the Lady Blue Devils earned a ticket to the state quarterfinals. Roscoe will meet either the Section I or Section XI champions Friday night at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
Leading the Lady Blue Devils to the victory over their long-time rivals were seniors Christine Rosencranse and Cheyenne Smith. Rosencranse netted 14 points, while Smith recorded 13.
Livingston Manor’s Alys Mann was the game’s leading scorer with a total of 15 points.
Stats from the free throw line: Roscoe was 12-of-21(57%) and Manor was 5-of-11 (45%).
Manor Coach Andy Taggart said his players were a bit intimidated by their shot at playing on a big league court.
“I think they were in awe of the place,” Taggart said. “We seemed to be a little bit nervous early in the game . . . and we never got on track offensively.”
“In the second half, they got second-chance points,” he added.
Taggart said that Mann had been struggling recently, but stepped up big time in the big-time arena against Roscoe.
“She put her heart and soul into the game, shot well and really scrapped for the ball,” said Taggart.
Roscoe Coach Becky Ahart said it was a hard-fought game between two schools known for their friendships, both on and off the playing fields.
“It was a sloppy game,” she said. “We really didn’t get our feet underourselves until the second half . . . and then we did a lot better.
“I’m not pleased with the way we played, but I’m glad we came away with the win.”