By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kevan Sheppard knows his Bishop Kearney girls’ basketball team lacks for stature. Their skill, though, there is plenty of that.
And Friday night the Kearney artistry was on display for all to see at the Ed Nietopski Gymnasium.
Four scored in double figures as BK sped to a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter and never took their collective feet off the pedal.
“We try to be a pick-your-poison type of team,” Sheppard said after Kearney’s 87-48 win over Batavia. “We try to ride the hot hand. It’s nice when you can spread it out that way.”
Saniaa Wilson scored 12 of her team-high 21 points in the first half to help BK take a 47-26 lead into the locker room.
The Lady Kings forced 17 turnovers while allowing nine field goals over the first 16 minutes.
“Defensively we just came out with a lot of energy,” Sheppard added. “The more the game goes on it (our defense) can wear on you if it’s going our way.”
Toya Baker added 20. Marianna Freeman scored 14, and Taylor Norris chipped in a dozen.
Marianna Freeman slices from the wing. End 3rd: Kearney (Girls) 65 Batavia 35 pic.twitter.com/9P7WOrNOQ6
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 15, 2018
“It makes it fun for everybody,” Sheppard said of the balanced scoring. “Really we just want to go to what’s working.”
Wilson converted a rebound and to start the scoring. Baker knocked down a pair of free throws before Wilson scored again in the lane. Kaia Goode had a steal and layup before Baker found Freeman for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the right wing. Goode led Wilson on the break for an easy layup, and BK had a double-digit advantage at 17-7 with a little less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Marianna Freeman leads Saniaa Wilson. 4 to go in first. BK (girls) 17 Batavia 7 pic.twitter.com/1r2a90G1KN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 14, 2018
“When you first see us, you’re like ‘they gotta be good because they’re not that big,'” Sheppard joked. “We don’t scare anybody with the eye test, but individually we’re very skilled.”
BK led 28-8 after the first quarter.
With the win the Lady Kings improved to 4-0 on the season. Their average margin of victory is 22.3 points.
Taia Thornton ahead to Saniaa Wilson. 3:40 to go. Kearney (Girls) up 77-43 pic.twitter.com/MqPokpdo3P
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 15, 2018
Goode and Taia Thornton scored seven apiece. Kateri Mauer had four points and Emily Tytler chipped in with two.
Batavia’s Ryann Stefaniak connected on five 3-pointers and led all scorers with 25 points. Teammate Bryn Wormley added 12 points. Jenae Colkey (5), Emma Krolczyk (4) and Mackenzie Reigle (2) rounded out the scoring for the Blue Devils.
Bishop Kearney plays at Bishop Ludden on December 22nd. Batavia (2-1) hosts Eastridge on Tuesday.
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