Alex Rau | Democrat Fallsburg’s Nyosia Harris (13) fights to keep possession of the ball as Livingston Manor’s Katie Rau (11) and TaShauna West (22) apply defensive pressure. Host Fallsburg won the non-league game 50-41.

Fallsburg weathers Manor comeback

Story by Alex Rau
SOUTH FALLSBURG — January 24, 2014 — The winter weather is exacting a toll on local high school sports teams and the Livingston Manor and Fallsburg girls’ basketball teams are no exception.
Both the Wildcats and Comets reached the sectional playoffs in their respective classes last season, but entered Wednesday night’s non-league matchup struggling through the early part of this season. Manor came in winless at 0-8 and Fallsburg was 2-6 having beat Sullivan West and Liberty.
“I’m constantly in reschedule mode trying to get practices and make-up games in due to holidays, early dismissals and school closings,” said Fallsburg coach Lucille Harris.
And as Harris and Manor coach Kevin Clifford both point out, getting every player to a make-up practice on weekends and between game schedules isn’t an easy task.
“We may only have three or four girls available for practice on a given weekend which makes it difficult to practice plays as a team” added Clifford.
Fallsburg has faced some additional challenges this season having graduated eight seniors from last season and also being moved up from Class C to Class B .
“The competition is tougher,” said Harris. “We’re taking it one game at a time.”
Fallsburg found some relief in facing Class D Livingston Manor Wednesday, though the undermanned Wildcats put up a valiant battle before falling 50-41.
Fallsburg’s Stephanie Perna scored 13 points including two three-pointers in the second half. Nyasia Harris added 12 points and Tiffani Suhm 11 points for the Comets, now 3-6.
Fallsburg built a comfortable 18-point lead through three quarters, courtesy of numerous Manor turnovers.
But the Wildcats fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit in half. Devon Dutcher (10) and Ami Calo (6) scored all 16 of Manor’s fourth quarter points. However, the comeback would fall short as time ran out.
Calo finished with a game-high 17 points, while Dutcher scored 12.
Despite their winless record this season, Manor has played tough in stretches, especially against larger class B and C schools.
“We are working with two new point guards this season having graduated three seniors last year, and we’re making progress,” noted Clifford.