By Ted Waddell
LIBERTY — December 17, 2002 – Friday the 13th proved to be a lucky night for the home team, as the Liberty Lady Indians stretched their winning streak to six games on the young hoops season.
Liberty defeated visiting Fallsburg, 44-20, Friday night in an OCIAA Division III girls’ basketball game.
With the victory, Liberty moved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 OCIAA. Fallsburg fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in OCIAA play.
At the half, the Lady Indians had a decisive 24-8 lead over the Lady Comets.
“I think Liberty is a very good team, and I think we need to start hustling more,” said Charisse Jamroz, who is in her first season as the Fallsburg varsity girls’ basketball coach.
She cited the play of Jennifer Orlowsky and Felicia Strauss.
“They are very good post players and good rebounders,” Jamroz said.
Liberty first-year varsity hoops coach Tom LaGattuta called the game “a little sloppy on both sides”, but was pleased with the “W”.
“Fallsburg presented some matchup problems for us,” LaGattuta explained. “They have a big girl [Strauss] in the middle, and she did a great job keeping our girls off the boards.
“We could have played crisper, but we came away with the win,” he added.
He credited the play of senior guards Andrea TerBush and Christine Waryha with leading Lady Indians to the victory.
Liberty also took advantage of its trips to the foul line, converting 12-of-24 free throws. Fallsburg shot just 4-for-19 (21 percent) from the charity stripe, however.
TerBush finished with 13 points on the evening. Kate DeMayo added eight points for Liberty.
Strauss, who netted 10 points, was the only Lady Comet to reach double figures.