By TIM IRVING
East Rochester’s girls basketball team used 21 steals and allowed just three Avon players to score in winning the Class C1 Championship, 54-26. Junior guard Sam Lewis leading the way with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five steals for the Bombers.
Right off the opening tip, Lewis made a lay-up to set the tone. Zoe Zutes made two baskets inside before getting into foul trouble but Lewis then hit a corner three and ER led 11-4.
On top of the steals, Zutes and sophomore Lily Funk blocked six shots and altered numerous others on their way to a 32-19 halftime lead. Braves senior Alicia Faville scored 12 of her team’s points in the first half and 15 total. Funk scored all nine of her first half points in the second quarter for the Bombers.
The defense took over in the second half, allowing Avon just two third quarter points.
“When we lock up on “D” it translates to offense. We get steals and get fast breaks and it controls the whole game, sets the vibe,” said Zutes, the only one of the five Bombers seniors who starts.
The title is the first in 29 years for the Bombers girls basketball program but it’s the school’s fourth already this year, joining the boys soccer, girls tennis and field hockey teams.
“To end Zoe’s six-year varsity career with a Sectional Championship, there’s no better way I could have pictured this season to end, “ Lewis, who stars on the Bombers’ field hockey team, said.
Head coach Mark Florack added, “I had a feeling about this group. They’ve been together for a while, they work really hard, we did some things in the summer and I could see the progression.”
SCORING:
Avon
Kennedy Fries (2), Alicia Faville (15), Ali DiFranco (9).
East Rochester
Sam Lewis (14), Zarriah Eldridge (5), Navaeh Johnson (8), Zoe Zutes (10), Lily Funk (11), Lebria Hickman (4), Paulina Lexer (2).
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