By BILL COLLMER, Hornell Sun Senior Sports Writer
BUFFALO — The Hornell girls basketball team has won three straight sectional championships and are playing in the Far Western Regionals for the second year in a row. Last season they lost a heartbreaker to Section VI Class B Champion Southwestern, 63-61.
With much of the roster back for this season, expectations were high, and they’ve reached their goals of winning a third Sectional championship and getting back to Regionals, their final goal was to advance to the New York State Final four, and with a win Saturday they’ll achieve that goal.
Section Five Class B Champion Hornell will travel to Buffalo State University Saturday March 15, at 2 p.m. to play Section VI Class B Champion Salamanca.
At a Glance:
What: Section V vs Section VI Girls’ Basketball Far Western Regional
Who: Hornell to battle Salamanca
Where: Buffalo State University
When: Saturday, March 15th at 2 p.m.
Records: Hornell (20-3) vs. Salamanca (18-6)
How they got there: Salamanca defeated Newfane in the Section VI Class B State Qualifier 40-34, Hornell defeated the Lyons Lions, 76-44 in the Section V Class B State Qualifier
For much of the season it looked like a rematch with Southwestern was imminent however they lost to Newfane 57-55 in the Class B1 Championship game. Class B2 Champion Salamanca defeated Newfane in the State Qualifier 40-34 Wednesday night to reach the Western Regional.
Salamanca captured their first Sectional Championship since 2012 defeating Wilson 51-32 in the Section VI B2 Championship game.
Coach Joe Hinman graduated from Salamanca in 2014, he has been around basketball coaching, volunteering, and keeping stats with the boys’ team for six years right after he graduated. He started out as an assistant Coach under Bryelle Wallin for one year with the Girls Varsity team and has been the head coach the past three seasons.
Salamanca prides themselves on defense, while Hornell averages 60.9 PPG, while allowing opponents 43.8 PPG.
Salamanca plays a stingy man-to-man defense and tries to take away gaps. That’s been their identity this season especially in Sectionals.
Salamanca averages 46.3 Points per game, they’re allowing opponents to score 36.2 points per game.
“We really pride ourselves on defense especially late in the season. We know these games are starting to get tougher, so we have been focusing more on clamping down and being as disciplined as possible, paying great attention to the details and little things that we need to tidy up, Salamanca Coach Joe Hinman said.
The high-powered Hornell offense scored 76 points in their state qualifier victory over B2 Champion Lyons. Hornell’s season high was 93 points in a win over York. While Salamanca’s season high was 74 in a win over Dunkirk.
In Sectionals the stout Hornell Defense has only allowed 38, 26, 27 & 44 points. While Salamanca has allowed, 40, 34, 32 & 34. So, what will happen when two great defenses play each other?
“Our staff has taken a good look at Hornell for our regional matchup. We believe they have a very well-rounded group. They definitely have some crafty guards, great three-point shooters, and solid post play. Man-to-man defense will have to step it up particularly around the perimeter. Communication will be key in locating shooters,” Hinman said.
In Hornell’s win over Lyons, Hornell Junior Jordyn Dyring scored 24 points and Junior Payton Bentley scored 23 points.
In the Section VI sectional Championship game Salamanca Senior guard Skyla Dowdy and junior guard Leilene McComber led Salamanca with 16 points each. Dowdy, who averages roughly seven points per game on the season, scored nine points in the second quarter, capping the first half with a three-pointer that put her team up double figures.
In the State Qualifier over Newfane Kynleigh Wass and Makenzie Crouse led the Warriors with 10 points each, Dowdy finished with nine. Usual top scorer Leilene McComber went down with an injury but came back into the game. She left again after fouling out and finished with five points.
“Leilene McComber got a little banged up in the overall B championship but she will be good to go on Saturday,” Hinman said.
Story continues after Salamanca team photos in slide show:
“Salamanca showed us why they’re in the position they’re in. They are well-coached, and they play with a ton of energy and effort. They’re tough, and they play with tenacity. They play great defense, and they spread their scoring out well. At this point in the year, every team is very good, and Salamanca is no exception – we are going to have to match their intensity and compete for 32 minutes,” Hornell Coach Jim Dagon said.
“Offensively, our team has been taking advantage of transition offense and getting the ball up the floor to the open teammate. Sharing the ball, being unselfish has contributed big in our postseason success,” Hinman added
“I believe Hornell will be our biggest test. It’s fitting because it’s a big stage. We are looking for big games from everybody and will need all five on the court to crank up the intensity. We saw adversity against Newfane and are expecting the same thing Saturday. Have to make sure we stick together for all 32 minutes,” Hinman Said
Salamanca has already played two games at Buffalo State, Hornell struggled in the Sectional Championship game at Finger Lakes Community College scoring a season low in points in their 36-27 victory over Mynderse. To prepare for Saturdays game Hornell will be practicing at Alfred State College.
“Buffalo State is a great venue for this kind of game. The arena has a big-game feel to it, and it’s going to be a very fun experience for the girls. We are looking forward to it. Getting some practice in at Alfred State is one more thing that can prepare us for the game. We talk a lot about winning the day every day and doing all of the things within our control to maximize our chances of success. That could mean putting in great effort at practice, being attentive and engaged in film sessions, or even just treating yourself well on recovery days. We try to do whatever we can to make today successful, and I think getting to practice in a larger gym will help us adjust to things like depth perception and floor spacing. Fortunately, the people at Alfred State have been gracious enough to let us use their facilities, and I’m deeply appreciative of that,” Dagon said.
Hornell’s only blemishes on the season have come at the hands of AA Aquinas and they split with Class C Keshequa handing Keshequa their only loss on the season. Both Aquinas and Keshequa are also playing in the Regionals at Buffalo State this weekend.
“The strength of our schedule prepared us to be successful this season. We played some great teams and made some long bus trips as well. The losses were tough, but they made us improve, adapt, and grow at some very pivotal points in the season. Even in the games we won, we were thoroughly tested and had to find many different ways to be successful, and that has led us to play our best at this point in the season. It is also nice to see that the teams who beat us are still playing. It’s validating to know that we lost to really quality programs, and we are rooting for them to keep their seasons alive!” Dagon said.
Hornell was dealt a huge loss the first week of practice in November when Senior Sharpshooter Lily Hoyt tore her ACL. Hoyt entered her senior season with 259 career three-pointers and with 993 career points. In a true show of sportsmanship in Hornell’s season opener in Hornell non-league opponent Corning allowed Hoyt to stand under the basket and score four straight layups to reach 1,001 career points.
Hoyt has taken on a different role in her senior season, the role of assistant coach. Watching game film and scouting opponents while helping her teammates during the heat of battle.
“Lillian has been a huge asset to the team this season, even having not gotten the chance to be on the court. She is one of the biggest leaders of this group, and having her give input and advice to her teammates has been very valuable. Lillian, being with us as an assistant coach, has also been a constant reminder for us all that you cannot control every outcome and that you should cherish the moment while you’re in it. We don’t take any days for granted, and when things don’t go as planned, Lillian has shown us all how to make the most out of a difficult situation. Her presence has been so important down the stretch for us,” Dagon said.
Hornell is one win away from playing at Hudson Valley Community College for a chance to play for a state championship.
“I’m extremely proud of this group of girls. Their willingness to put the team first and to dedicate so much time and effort towards reaching their goals together has been incredible. I’m not only proud of their growth as basketball players but as students and, most importantly, as young adults. Having gotten to coach most of them since they were 12 years old, I often find myself taking a step back these days just to appreciate what a great group of people they’ve become. They’re tough, selfless, hilarious, and they make every single day a blast. This group has truly earned this opportunity, and I am confident that they will leave it all out there and compete for one another come game time,” Dagon added.
Players to watch for Hornell: Jordyn Dyring Jr. G (18.3 PPG 3.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.3 SPG); Selena Maldonado Jr. G (11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 4.0 SPG); Raegan Evingham So. F (10.3 PPG 8.3 RPG 4.1 SPG. 3.2 APG); Payton Bentley Jr F. (10.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.6 BPG, 1.2 SPG); Mia Nasca Jr. G (3.6 PPG 3.1 RPG 3.1 APG, 2.0 SPG).
Players to watch for Salamanca: Leilene McComber Jr. G (12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, 41 % FG, 58% FT), Mayliah Foster Fr. (8.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 32% FG, 57% FT, Makenzie Crouse Jr. (7.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.8 BPG, 31% FG, 53% FT, Skyla Dowdy Sr. G (7.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.5 SPG, Kynleigh Wass Fr. (4.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 31% FG, 50% FT) Madisyn Lafferty Sr. (3.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 36% FG, 58% FT)
Team Stats
Hornell Salamanca
PPG: 61.7 PPG: 46.3
PPGA: 43.7 PPGA: 36.2
Reb: 40.7 Reb: 35.4
APG: 17.2 APG: 8.9
SPG: 14.8 SPG: 12.5
Deflections: 15.4 Deflections: 16.1
Blocks: 6.3 Blocks: 4.4
