By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Karen Schuster knows better than to expect the offensive outburst she saw from her squad Wednesday night.
For one game, though, the head coach of the Livonia girls’ basketball team will take it.
Kylie Buckley netted 16 of her game-high 37 points in the first quarter when Livonia sprinted to a 31-4 lead.
“That’s a good thing,” Schuster said of the junior’s ability to set the tone early in an 85-24 win over Greece Odyssey. “That’s kind of our plan. It doesn’t always work out, but fortunately for us it did tonight.”
Buckley connected eight times from the floor for all of her points over the first eight minutes of the contest. On three occasions, she scored in transition when her teammates found her ahead of the defense. And the 6-foot forward had her way under the basket.
Kylie Buckley ahead from Libby Kwak for 2 of her 12 here in the early going. pic.twitter.com/sSxcCvvt6y
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 2, 2021
“She’s a very skilled player,” Schuster said. “She puts a lot of extra time into it. She loves basketball. She’s really improved a lot, really matured as a player.”
Buckley led four in double figures with all seven players who saw action getting in the box score. Kelsey Stewart connected twice from behind the 3-point arc and finished with 14 points. Mary Kwak and Madison King accounted for 10 apiece. Emma King contributed six points while Libby Kwak and Madison Rowe both scored four points.
Madison King connects from long range, and Livonia has a comfortable lead heading into the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/lhgkVzGRfV
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 2, 2021
“It certainly isn’t any indication,” Schuster said of the offensive production. “We’re not going to score 80 points every night.”
The 37-point performance ranks second for Buckley who posted a 39-point effort last season when she averaged 22 per game as a sophomore during the Covid-shortened 2021 campaign. Buckley scored 20-plus points per game as a 9th grader.
“She’s fluid when she’s out there – the way she moves, sees the floor, understands the game. She’s put her time in and I’m happy for her.”
Doesn’t get much easier than this. Kylie Buckley has 37 on the night. pic.twitter.com/NgrPnyI3Yx
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 2, 2021
Asia Philip led Odyssey with 10 points. Alexis Smith added eight, and Jenayla Hunter had six points.
Asia Philip finishes for @Ody_Athletics pic.twitter.com/dzvgSFuw7k
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 2, 2021
“I give Odyssey a lot of credit,” Schuster said. “I give my kids a lot of credit. It’s early. There are a lot of things we did well, but there are a lot of things we need to work on.”
The same two teams meet at Livonia on January 18th.
Odyssey plays School of the Arts (SOTA), Monday at School No. 33. A 6:15 p.m. tip off is scheduled.
Livonia hosts Perry on Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
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