Ibezim owns the paint in Gates-Chili’s victory over Brockport

By TIM IRVING

Gates-Chili’s coffee maker was set on slow brew Monday for their noon start at Brockport. After falling behind the Blue Devils 11-0, the Spartans woke up and pulled away to win, 73-58.

Senior Miriam Ibezim says it’s becoming a theme with the Spartans. “Sometimes in the first half, we’re just playing but you can’t play that way, you have to play basketball to win. That’s what happens in the second half, we play to win, not even to win, to annihilate them.”

Ella Fadale and the Blue Devils came out fast. She scored right off the opening tip and scored nine of her team’s first 15 points. Gates started working the ball inside, with Ibezim hitting six free throws but Brockport led 19-11 after one.

Coming out with their hair on fire, @BrockportGVB , Ella Fadale with four points, 8-0 start.@pickinsplinters pic.twitter.com/gUvW23g9u5

— Tim Irving (@Irvish5) February 15, 2021

In the second quarter, the Blue Devils got into foul trouble, hindering the aggressiveness of their half-court defense. That allowed the Spartans to start working the ball inside to Ibezim and outlet into transition.

Miriam Ibezim with the drop step for @GCSDSpartans , lead down to 19-15 for @BrockportGVB @pickinsplinters pic.twitter.com/FNZtpzAZNk

— Tim Irving (@Irvish5) February 15, 2021

Paris Anthony and Maylee Karns combined to knock down 10 free throws and an end-to-end run for Karns gave the Spartans their first lead of the game with 2:00 to play in the first half.

Maylee Kerns gives @GCSDSpartans the lead. Things getting chippy. 24-22 2:00 left in the half. @pickinsplinters pic.twitter.com/FrO0Y9FSCC

— Tim Irving (@Irvish5) February 15, 2021

Brockport took a 31-29 lead to halftime when Emily Vergari made a great ball fake and drove to the hoop to beat the buzzer.

Emily Vergari lay up at the buzzer, 30-29 @BrockportGVB leads @GCSDSpartans at half @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/rJ0GaZKN4G

— Tim Irving (@Irvish5) February 15, 2021

Ibezim came out of the locker room and took control, scoring 13 points in the third. Anthony added nine and Makenzie Clifton scored four down low as the Spartans went on a 28-13 run that locked the game up heading into the fourth.

Here's Miriam pic.twitter.com/GqYgC8Vq23

— Tim Irving (@Irvish5) February 15, 2021

Ibezim finished with 27 points and 22 rebounds, on the heels of a 29-25 performance in a loss to Bishop Kearney on Saturday. Anthony scored 24 points from the point position, making it difficult for Brockport to defend.

“They just feed off each other so well,” said coach Rachel Leonard. “We just kept going, just keep rebounding and when you’ve think you’ve got one down, the other one’s gonna pop up and cause trouble for you.”

Fadale led the way for Brockport with 18 points.

Up next for the Spartans (2-2), a Wednesday match-up with 3-1 Fairport.

SCORING:

Gates-Chili

Paris Anthony (24), Terah Echols (5), Maylee Kerns (7), Emily McManus (2), Miriam Ibezim (27), Mckenzie Clifton (8).

Brockport

Emma Laureano (15), Emma Sodoma (2), Gisela Allen (6), Ella Fadale (18), Ava Velletri (8), Maggie Schultz (1), Emily Vergari (8).