PENN YAN — The veteran Waterloo girls’ basketball team which has spent a majority of the past four years not just the #1 seed in Section V, but the #1 ranked team in the state, had to take on the young, upstart Hornell Red Raiders in the state qualifiers Tuesday night.
Hornell did not play like a 15-9 team taking on a 23-1 machine, as the Red Raiders raced out to a 27-17 halftime lead.
However, Waterloo’s defense in the third quarter was the difference in a Waterloo 48-38 win.
Hornell ends the season as the Section V Class B2 champions. Waterloo, the overall Class B champions will represent Section V on Saturday at Buffalo State at 5 p.m. in the Far West Regionals against the Section VI Class B champion.
“I’m just very proud of the girls. They didn’t back down from the challenge tonight, and they made the Waterloo team play for all 32 minutes and earn the victory,” Hornell coach Jimmy Dagon said. “Down the stretch the ball just didn’t bounce in our favor at some key moments and that’s just the way it goes some nights.
“I think that this group knows that they’ve made history and they’re very proud of that and they understand how special it is, but they’re competitors and they’re not content,” Dagon continued. “And that attitude is going to lead them to great success in the future whether it’s in basketball or just in life in general. I’m grateful to have had such an amazing group this year. They are fearless and the sky is the limit for them all.”
Waterloo freshman Addison Bree scored 15 points and was part of the third quarter charge when she hit three 3-pointers. Natalie DiSanto scored 13 and Jazzmyn Lewis had seven.
STEVE HARRISON’S PHOTO GALLERY:
