By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — February 23, 2010 — The Eldred boys’ and girls’ basketball teams posted Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division VI victories over the two Roscoe hoops squads on Friday night as fans from both schools and communities helped out two worthy causes.
In the evening’s first game, the Eldred Lady Yellowjackets defeated the Roscoe Lady Blue Devils, 56-39. In the second game, the Eldred Yellowjackets topped the Roscoe Blue Devils, 64-43.
The two basketball games enabled fans to help those in need. The Roscoe Blue and White Club held a 50/50 raffle for Samaritan’s Feet, a non-profit humanitarian relief organization based in Charlotte, N.C., in conjunction with the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) and the Barefoot for Bare Feet Initiative. A total of $162 was raised in the raffle.
To show their support for the cause, Eldred Coaches J.J. Gass and Frank Kean and Roscoe Coaches Fred Ahart and Becky Ahart coached their teams in their bare feet.
In addition, in lieu of paying an admission fee at the door, fans were asked to make a donation to the Salvation Army to help Haiti and its people following last month’s devastating earthquake. A total of $266.68 was raised for the Salvation Army.
Strong second half helps Lady Yellowjackets earn a victory
In the evening’s opening game, Eldred (13-2, 7-0 Div. VI) outscored the Lady Blue Devils 20-13 in the third quarter to transform a 23-17 halftime advantage into a 43-30 lead entering the last eight minutes of play.
With 6:52 remaining in the third quarter, Roscoe’s Paige Clancy made a 3-pointer to cut the Eldred lead to 27-24. But Kim Elvin answered with a 3-point shot of her own to extend the Lady Yellowjackets’ advantage to 30-24.
After Eldred extended its lead to double digits, Taylor DeVantier scored in the key at the 1:43 mark to bring the Lady Blue Devils within eight points at 38-30.
However, Amanda Busch swished a 3-pointer with 57 seconds left and Meaghan Hazen grabbed an offensive rebound and scored as the buzzer sounded to give the Lady Yellowjackets momentum and a 13-point lead entering the fourth period.
Sage Owens led the Lady Yellowjackets with 16 points and
Elvin finished with 11 points.
Heather Ouellette netted nine points and Meaghan Hazen, Sam Ferguson and Busch added six points apiece.
“The third quarter was the turning point,” Eldred Coach Frank Kean said. “We did a great job on defense in the third quarter.”
Kean, who will be retiring in June, was very pleased with how the Lady Yellowjackets played.
“I’m very proud of the effort by these girls,” he said. “They play hard and want to keep on winning. I really appreciate them for doing that.”
DeVantier led Roscoe (6-12, 2-6 Div. VI) with 14 points. She and fellow seniors Amanda Huggins and Amanda Ladenhauf and their parents were honored in ceremony prior to the game.
Clancy finished with 11 points and Kiera Browne added six points for the Lady Blue Devils.
“I congratulate Eldred on a fine season,” Roscoe Coach Becky Ahart said. “I wish them the best of luck in sectionals.”
Ahart also lauded her team.
“I am very proud of my girls for the way they played this season,” she said. “They played together.”
Eldred takes early lead on its way to victory
In the boys’ game, the Eldred Yellowjackets took a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and expanded that advantage the rest of the evening.
With 5:48 to go until halftime, Chris Pitcher drove down the lane for a basket to give the Yellowjackets a 19-9 advantage.
Eldred (8-7, 5-2 Div. VI) held a 29-19 lead at halftime,but the Blue Devils reduced their deficit early in the third period. In the opening minute, Jesse Huggins made a pair of foul shots and Mark Baker scored in the key to bring Roscoe (2-16, 1-7 Div. VI) within six points at 29-23.
With 6:40 displayed on the scoreboard clock Adam Hendrix made a 3-pointer to cut the Eldred lead to five at 31-26.
But the Yellowjackets responded with a 24-6 run to take a 55-32 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Eldred made 11 shots from beyond the 3-point arc in the contest. Leading the way was Blair Flanigan, who made four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points. Bryan Henry had 12 points, while Steve Combs and Scott Hallock added eight points apiece.
Henry, Combs and Hallock each made a pair of 3-point shots.
“In the second half, we were able to make some outside shots to pull away,” Eldred Coach J.J. Gass said. “We also played good defense.”
Gass was not surprised that the Blue Devils kept playing hard for the entire game.
“They have a great coach and they always give a great effort,” he said.
Hendrix finished with a game-high 19 points, while Huggins netted 14 points.
Roscoe’s two seniors, Baker and Nate Brock, who had six points, and their parents were honored in a pregame ceremony.
In addition, three senior cheerleaders – Jennifer Conway, Angelica DiVita and Angel Feeney – and their parents were honored before the game.
“To their credit, Eldred really controlled the boards tonight,” Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart said.
Ahart praised his players for their effort in the game and during the entire season.
“Our players played hard in every game this year,” he said. “I am very proud of that fact.”
“I congratulate our two seniors, Mark Baker and Nate Brock, for all they have done in their careers and for playing their final game tonight,” Ahart added.
The veteran coach, who is also the Athletic Director at Roscoe Central School, thanked everyone for helping with the evening’s two fundraisers. In particular, Fred Ahart thanked his wife Becky Ahart and granddaughter Paige Clancy for all of their help with the fundraisers. Becky Ahart was the overall organizer, while Clancy assisted with the donations for the Salvation Army.