By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Five different players contributed to the offense in the opening quarter when the Penfield girls’ basketball team jumped to a double-digit lead on the way to a 55-22 triumph over host Rush-Henrietta, Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Penfield swept the regular season series against the Royal Comets.
More importantly for the reigning Section V Class AA champs, Saturday’s victory might have offered signs of what’s to come.
“We’ve won three in a row,” said head coach Mark Vogt. “That’s our longest win streak this year.”
The Patriots closed the Covid-shortened 2021 season with five straight victories to finish with 12 wins and 3 losses. Two years ago, Vogt’s squad won 10 straight at one point, advanced to the AA finals and posted a 20-3 record.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM RON ANDREWS HERE.
Two weeks ago, Penfield lost back-to-back games, a stretch in which the Patriots dropped three of five.
“Teams saw blood in the water,” Vogt commented. “We can’t just show up.”
And Saturday’s matchup presented unique challenges coming after two days of lost practices due to the recent winter storm.
The Patriots had to travel to face a Rush-Henrietta team which had won two of three under second-year head coach Renee Long.
“We just knew that if we came here and did our thing, we’d be good,” senior captain Eva Elliot said.
Penfield wasted little time establishing itself on Saturday.
“When we’re locked in on defense, we get easier baskets on offense,” Vogt stated. “Our offense flows from our defense.”
The Patriots converted that defensive pressure to production on the opposite end of the floor. Jackie Funk scored seven of her game-high 23 points in the opening frame when Penfield took a 15-point lead.
Jackie Funk finishes in the lane for @mvogtpenfield pic.twitter.com/PhduyJfx4k
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 5, 2022
For Vogt, though, it was how his team focused on the Rush-Henrietta offense.
“Defend the threes,” he said of his team’s emphasis. “They put up around 25 threes a game. If they hit 12 or 13, you’re going to be in trouble.”
The Patriots paid special attention to Rush-Henrietta’s Alivia Day, Avery Roberts and Ava Santiago.
“They are all really good basketball players and really good perimeter players,” Vogt said of the R-H trio. “I thought we did a great job on them.”
Penfield won 63-37 when the two teams met earlier this season, but Vogt was quick to point out that the final margin was deceiving.
“At the end of the third we were only up 10 last time. That’s what we focused on.”
Without time on the floor to prepare over the past two days, the Patriots had to modify their approach.
“We got up early and had bagels this morning,” Vogt said of his team’s pre-game shootaround. “We did a zoom game plan, yesterday.”
“Wednesday our practice was a little shaky, so we wanted to get back in the gym,” Elliot said. “Make sure we could pick it back up and be ready for our game today.”
Elisa Faklaris leads Eva Elliot for 2. pic.twitter.com/SDwEt6WK8n
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 5, 2022
Roberts led Rush-Henrietta with 10 points. Day had nine. Kaitlyn Gregg (2) and Cassidy Pearce (1) also scored for the Royal Comets (7-8) who travel to play Pittsford Mendon on Tuesday.
“That’s a good, well-coached team,” Vogt stated. “They’re on the way up.”
Avery Roberts get the layup in transition for the and-one. pic.twitter.com/6OXQJcOhus
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 5, 2022
Elliot finished with eight points for Penfield (10-5) which plays at Gates-Chili next Tuesday. Leah Fusilli added seven points. Starters Grace Alexander, Kennedy Cone and Elisa Faklaris each scored three. Sarah Baumer had four points while Anna Coyle and Emily Fordham both scored two for the Patriots.
The Patriots have held their last three opponents under 40 points.
“We’re starting to play Penfield basketball at the right time,” Vogt said. “We get everybody’s best and now we’re answering. It’s a cliché, but we’re on to Gates.”
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