By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Penfield girls basketball coach Mark Vogt had nothing but good things to say about the Gates-Chili Spartans on Thursday night.
“They’re going to be a very good team and we probably will see them sometime in the sectionals,” he remarked.
If the Patriots and Spartans do meet next month, Penfield will enter with bragging rights. The Patriots handed the Spartans their first loss of the season on their own court, leaving with a commanding 70-49 victory. Both teams are now 13-1.
The night featured a significant contrast in styles, with Penfield enjoying the transition game and Gates preferring a physical five-on-five half court game. The game started slow in the half court, a defensive struggle limiting the teams to just nine combined points midway through the first quarter.
As the final score suggests, the pace swiftly swung Penfield’s way. The Patriots went on an 11-0 run to end the first and acquire a lead they never let go of again; they only added to it, leading by as much as 23 near the game’s conclusion.
Penfield senior captain Nyara Simmons led all scorers with 16 points, while Baylee Teal and Jessica Rinere recorded 15 and 10, respectively. Seven Patriots scored five or more points, using collaborative ball movement and taking advantage of Gates turnovers to share the spotlight.
“When we reversed the ball against their zone we got good looks,” Vogt noted. “I was surprised they played as much man as they did, and they played it really well. We really had trouble scoring early against their man-to-man. And then we were able to hit a couple threes, which loosens it up. Then we can get Nyara touches in the post.”
Penfield left points on the table at the free throw line, making just 12 of its 22 attempts from the stripe, but three runs of eight unanswered points or more offered them forgiveness in that area.
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Gates got most of its scoring production from the trio of Terah Echols (14 points), Maylee Kerns (14 points) and Paris Anthony (12 points). Kerns made four three-pointers, including three three-pointers in a row.
Miriam Ibezim, the Spartans’ second-leading scorer, was held to seven points, all free throws. Vogt individually lauded the defense on the standout junior in his remarks.
The Patriots haven’t lost since Dec. 28 against Albany High School. They remain undefeated against Monroe County opponents and are proving worthy of their state-ranked status.
“We have five seniors and three senior captains. So they’ve been around,” Vogt noted. “It’s very important to finish well and go on a run, deep into the section. I think we expected this to be a good game and it was, but we have a lot of confidence. We think we’re a pretty good team and hopefully we’re gonna keep getting better.
“I’m sure Gates will too.”
Penfield scorers: Simmons 16, Teal 15, Rinere 10, Grace Fitzgerald 7, Kennedy Cone 6, Haley Emmick 6, Elisa Faklaris 5, Kylie Bell 4, Jasmine Cohoon 1
Gates scorers: Echols 14, Kerns 14, Anthony 12, Ibezim 7, McKenzie Clifton 2
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