| | Cherry Valley-Springfield’s Morgan Shuster (11) dribbles up the court with Richfield Springs’ Lauren Richards in pursuit, Saturday, Dec. 29, in the finals of the Richfield Springs holiday basketball tournament. Shuster had six steals, and the Patriots won, 47-28. (Photo by Mike Root) | |
Undefeated Cherry Valley-Springfield had little trouble with Richfield Springs as the Lady Patriots cruised to a 47-28 victory, Saturday, Dec. 29, in the finals of the Richfield Springs holiday girls basketball tournament. CV-S out-rebounded the Indians, 43-19, and had three players with double-doubles. Tournament MVP Morgan VanAlstine had 12 points and 12 rebounds, Courtney VanBrink had 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Laura Kroon had 12 points and 11 boards. “Our goal was to keep Katie Moshier from getting the ball, which we did very successfully in the first half,” said Patriots head coach Amy Garretson. “We were willing to let them shoot three pointers and make them, but we wanted to control the middle and we did, and we controlled rebound wise.” CV-S’s 2-1-2 defense forced Richfield to take some outside shots, but the Indians were cold on their jumpers. “We were trying to work the ball inside and we really didn’t have any success with that,” said Indians head coach Stacey Mayne. “Outside shots weren’t falling. We were trying to get the kids to attack the zone, but I think they were a little gun shy. I don’t know if that was the physicality of last night’s game or what it was.” The Patriots outscored Richfield, 18-5, in the second quarter, opening up a 29-10 halftime lead. “They have so much confidence in themselves,” Garretson said of her team. “This is a really unique group of girls.” Garretson refers to her team as the super seven but played the tournament with only six players. “They did really awesome tonight,” Garretson said. “They were ready to play ball.” Mayne also thought CV-S played a great game. “I think they outshot and out-hustled us,” Mayne said. “My hat’s off to them. They did a phenomenal job. They were very aggressive and intense and played four quarters of very good basketball.” Mayne did not think her team played up to its potential, however. “I thought we looked scared when we came out playing against them,” Mayne said. “They came out fired up and ready to go and we really never caught fire until the fourth quarter, and you’re not gonna win a basketball game in one quarter.” Morgan Shuster added six steals for the Patriots, who improved to 6-0. VanBrink was named to the all-tournament team. Tournament all-star Bekah Havens scored a game-high 14 points for the Indians, who dropped to 6-2. Moshier had 10 rebounds. Other all-tournament selections were Richfield’s Jessica Hext and Edmeston’s Emily Slentz. CV-S plays at Laurens, Friday, at 7 p.m. Richfield hosts Stockbridge Valley, Friday, at 7 p.m.
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