By TIM IRVING
East Rochester’s girls basketball team won the 2021 Class C1 girls basketball title on their home floor, something that may never be done again.
And yet, there was still something missing.
The opportunity to make a State run.
They took the first step, beating Alexander 61-37 behind their only senior, Sam Lewis, who scored 34 points, 17 in each half, to lead the Bombers to their second straight title.
Natalie Whitmore hit a three-pointer for the Trojans to get the East Rochester lead down to 12-11 in the first quarter.
And then Lewis became possessed. Two straight steals, the second one turned into a three-point play. Junior Lily Funk hit a three-pointer and the lead was 18-14.
Lewis then ran off 10 points in the second half, part of a 16-4 run to end the half and the Bombers led 31-18 at the half.
“We had to adjust to how they were playing at the beginning, they were playing tight man, which we don’t see all the time but once we adjusted, we just took over,” Lewis, a three-sport star said.
“She put us on her back and the energy she brought on offense and defense, I’m so proud of her,” Funk added.
Lewis went on her own 8-0 run in the third, buoyed by a defense, predicated more on blocked shots than steals.
While last year’s title was the first for the program in 29 years, this one might be bigger.
“This one, I feel like we had to work a lot harder for because, this season everyone wanted to beat us so I think there was a lot more pressure on us this year,” Lewis said. “At the end of the day, it’s about passion and heart and we were not going home losers today.”
Lewis was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Zarriah Eldridge and Funk and Alexander’s Whitmore and Alyssa Kramer.
SCORING
7-Alexander 37
Alyssa Kramer 8, Riley Powell 4, Natalie Whitmore 16, Sam Sawyer 5, Melanie Pohl 2, Sam Kabel 2.
1-East Rochester 61
Sam Lewis 34, Zarriah Eldridge 11, Emma Romack 2, Lebria Hickman 6, Gianna Romack 2, Lily Funk 6.
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