By Rob Potter
LIVINGSTON MANOR — February 22, 2011 — Moments before the opening tip-off of Wednesday night’s non-league girls’ basketball game at Livingston Manor Central School, coaches, family members, friends and school officials took a few moments to recognize the five seniors on the Manor team.
Manor Athletic Director Shirlee Davis addressed the crowd, noting that those five seniors – Christine Babich, Kiera Browne, Paige Clancy, Marissa Diescher and Angela Zayas – were teammates on the Manor soccer team this past autumn.
In addition, those seniors led the team to the 2010-2011 Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division VI basketball title with a perfect 4-0 record.
After presenting flowers to their family members, Coach Kevin Clifford and Assistant Coach Becky Ahart, the seniors guided the Lady Wildcats to a 59-31 victory over the Fallsburg Lady Comets.
Manor (13-3) grabbed a 10-2 lead in the first six minutes of the first quarter as Diescher netted seven points and Browne made three foul shots.
Sheryl Pinder scored five points to help Fallsburg (8-7) close its deficit to 15-7 at the conclusion of the quarter.
But Manor outscored the Lady Comets 15-6 in the second period. Manor pushed its lead into double digits at 19-9 when Babich made a baseline jump shot with 6:17 displayed on the scoreboard clock. Diescher netted nine points in the quarter as Manor took a 30-13 halftime lead.
Manor increased its lead to 25 points at 49-24 with 1:06 remaining in the third quarter when Brittany Klinger scored a basket while being fouled and then made her free throw.
The fourth period was almost even as Manor scored eight points and Fallsburg recorded seven points.
Diescher scored a game-high 33 points, which included four successful shots from beyond the 19-foot, 9-inch arc.
Monay Allen and Browne added 10 points and five points, respectively, for Manor.
“They played great defense tonight,” Clifford said of his players.
That good effort on defense translated to some easy baskets on the other end of floor, enabling Manor to build its advantage during the second and third quarters.
Clifford also praised the Lady Comets for competing well for all four quarters.
Manor, which will be playing in the next week’s Section IX Class D girls’ basketball tournament, has seven juniors and sophomores who should return next season.
“But it’s going to be different next year without these seniors,” Clifford said.
Diescher, who reached the 1,000-point milestone as a sophomore, has been a five-year varsity player. Browne and Clancy are four-year varsity players, while Babich and Zayas have been varsity players for three seasons.
Pinder led the Lady Comets with 10 points and Myana DaCosta scored five points. Shanice Mack and Shanise Tisdale added four points apiece.
Fallsburg Coach Daniel Redmond was pleased to see his players continue to do their best even though they trailed for the entire game.
“They stayed competitive and didn’t quit,” he said. “Sheryl [Pinder] made some good shots and Kelsey [Moody] did a nice job of rebounding.
“They all worked hard tonight,” he added.
Redmond also noted he was looking forward to the team playing in the upcoming Section IX Class C girls’ basketball tournament and celebrating the accomplishments of the Lady Comets’ seven seniors when Fallsburg held its Senior Night on Friday evening.