Story by CHRIS BROOKS, photo gallery by STEVE HARRISON
ADDISON — With the number one seed already on lockdown, the historic rollercoaster ride that the Canisteo-Greenwood girls’ basketball team could perhaps also witness two more additional bonuses come at the drop of a hat by the end of the night on Tuesday to close out their regular season.
That would have to come against the Addison in the Steuben County Championship game.
With history hanging in the balance, the C-G had another tough battle in what was the third and final regular season meeting with Addison, who shook off a deficit by as much as 13 early on. Maintaining a footstep right behind the unbeatens along the way, Addison would attempt to keep the pressure on late.
But in the end, Canisteo-Greenwood’s powerful start proved to be the early jackhammer.
The undefeated C-G squad ushered a strong offensive start behind the guidance of Peyton Peters, who opened up the attack for big things, scoring 11 of the team’s 18 first quarter points. Despite battling through some foul trouble that carried over into the second half, Canisteo-Greenwood’s buffer zone would remain intact through it all to finish off an incredible regular season undefeated for the first time in school history, recording their 20th straight win to cruise into the Class C1 Tournament as Steuben County Champions with a 46-37 victory.
“It was a really tough game tonight. We jumped out to a great first quarter with Peyton scoring the points for us. They ran a box-and-1 on Lillian (Mullen) and then she took over for us,” Canisteo-Greenwood coach Les York said. “We had some foul trouble with Elaine (Roach) and Brooke (Burd) sitting until the third quarter, but our subs played well to keep the difference in our favor. This is the program’s first undefeated season ever, mine as well, and we’re the only unbeaten in Section V. Now we start a brand new season in Sectionals.”
An early game trade between both squads worked out towards a 7-4 Canisteo-Greenwood (20-0) lead before the tires began to kick into gear, as the tournament’s top seeds finished off the frame on a hot streak, scoring 11 of the last 12 points with Peters fronting the majority of the efforts with all 11 of her points in the midst of it.
The buffer zone remained intact despite some pressure from Addison throughout the battle going forward, as well as some early foul trouble. But in the second half, C-G was able to put the game away with Lillian Mullen having her hand in on the action, motoring towards an 11-point second half to put towards Tournament MVP honors for the team when it was all said and done.
Mullen led all Canisteo-Greenwood scorers with a game-high 15 points, pairing them with six rebounds. Bailey Mullen chipped in with 14 points, while Peters finished off a double-double performance with 13 rebounds to go alongside her 11 points. Brooke Burd and Elaine Roach grabbed seven, and six additional rebounds to further the team’s cause.
The regular season is now over, as Canisteo-Greenwood put a bow on what was a 20-0 regular season, capturing Steuben County’s top prize, as well as the top seed in Class C1 come Sectionals in the midst of a heavy field of competition. A battlefield that will consist of the top 11 teams with records standing over .500.
York says that it will be his team’s hardest challenge in quite some time.
“The C1 division, I believe, is the hardest class out of the bunch this year. Anyone from the Top 10 to 11 are legitimate teams, with 11th place having lost only five or six times. I am very proud of the girls accomplishments this season, and beating tough teams this year,” York said. “Two of them against Dansville and Wellsville, and three of them against a really tough Addison team, who is very experienced with fast guards, good shooters and two legit centers.”
Addison 5 10 12 10 – 37
Canisteo-Greenwood 18 8 11 9 – 46
ADDISON: Makayla Miller 0 1-2 1, Anna Carlineo 2 0-0 4, Kerrigan Driskell 2 0-0 5, Chiara Lai 5 0-0 10, Erin Terwilliger 1 0-0 2, Jillian Ames 3 2-4 10, Bailee Jackson 2 0-0 5. Totals: 15 3-6 37.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Bailey Mullen 5 2-4 14, Elaine Roach 1 0-0 2, Kennedy Richardson 0 0-2 0, Lillian Mullen 4 6-8 15, Peyton Peters 4 2-2 11, Brooke Burd 1 2-6 4. Totals: 15 12-22 46.
3-point goals: Addison 4 (Ames 2, Driskell, Jackson), C-G 4 (B. Mullen 2, L. Mullen, Peters).
Total Fouls: Addison 16, C-G 11. Fouled out: None.
