Sullivan County Democrat
O n l i n e  E d i t i o n
www.sc-democrat.com National Award-winning, Family-run Newspaper info@sc-democrat.com
  SPORTS ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
home  |  archives

Rob Potter | Democrat

Cornwall’s Morgan McDonald, left, referee Mike Bernstein and players and coaches from both team benches watch as SW’s Stephanie Smith (22) and Cornwall’s Caroline Staudle, right, both attempt to save the basketball from going out of bounds during the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s crossover game at SW High School in Lake Huntington.

Cornwall dials long distance to defeat SW Lady Bulldogs

By Rob Potter
LAKE HUNTINGTON — February 25, 2011 — The theme for Tuesday night’s crossover basketball game between the visiting Cornwall Lady Dragons and Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs was established in the opening minutes.
With 7:47 remaining in the first quarter, Cornwall junior guard Jenna Wood swished a 3-point shot. After the Lady Bulldogs were unable to score on their first possession, Cornwall junior guard Morgan McDonald made a shot from beyond the 19-foot, 9-inch arc to give her team a 6-0 lead.
Cornwall made a total of 14 3-point shots on the evening to record an 80-34 victory.
After Wood converted a traditional three-point play by making her free throw after being fouled while taking a regular shot to push the Lady Dragons’ advantage to 9-0, SW got on the scoreboard as senior guard Regina Nicoletti knocked down a 3-point shot.
Facing a 12-3 deficit midway through the quarter, the Lady Bulldogs answered with a 10-2 scoring run. Nicoletti scored a field goal, Shelby Grishaber recorded two baskets and Heather Puerschner made a jump shot.
Senior guard Gabrielle Humleker capped the run with a basket at the 2:16 mark to trim the Cornwall lead to 14-13.
Despite playing with a great deal of heart and determination for the rest of the contest, that was as close as the Lady Bulldogs could get for the rest of the game.
Cornwall (13-5) outscored the Lady Bulldogs 27 to 11 in the second period to take a 43-24 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Lady Dragons scored 18 points while limiting SW (10-8) to a single basket.
McDonald made seven 3-point shots on her way to a game-high 29 points, while Wood had five 3-pointers and 22 points.
Senior forward Maddie Kachou added seven points for Cornwall, which has already earned a spot in the upcoming Section IX Class A girls’ basketball tournament.
“We passed the ball well and had many open shots which we made,” Cornwall Coach Chris Miller said.
While Miller was very pleased with the outside shooting by McDonald and Wood, he noted that defense was also a key factor in the Lady Dragons’ victory.
“Our defense was much better in the second half,” he said.
Nicoletti led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points and teammates Grishaber and Puerschner added eight points and six points, respectively.
“We played pretty well,” SW Coach Pat Donovan said. “We were down 9-0 early, but we were right back in it at the end of the first quarter.
“Cornwall is a very good team,” Donovan added. “They are a quick team and tough to defend.”
SW will be playing in the upcoming Section IX Class B girls’ tournament.
The seeding meeting for all of the Section IX boys’ and girls’ tournaments was scheduled to be held last night. Some of the tournaments may begin with opening round games tomorrow, while others will commence on Monday.
top of page  |  home  |  archives