By PAUL GOTHAM
WOLCOTT, N.Y. — Kaylee Marvin scored six of her game-high 25 points during a decisive run to close the fourth quarter, and the Gananda girls’ basketball team pulled away for a 61-49 victory over visiting Lyons in Wayne County League action, Thursday night.
Clinging to a one-point lead, Marvin followed teammate Eva Jenny’s three with back-to-back buckets in the paint to give the Panthers an eight-point advantage at 53-45.
“The double digits are deceiving,” Gananda head coach Karin Meuwissen said of the final margin. “It was closer than that.”
Marvin’s consecutive baskets were part of a stretch that saw Gananda score on eight of nine possessions.
“We continued to run and push the ball,” Meuwissen said. “That’s what helped to break it open a little bit.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE HERE.
“We ran a couple quick hitters really well. We got a couple buckets that we needed at timely spots. It helped that our transition eventually got us to where we needed to get to.”
The win was the ninth straight for Gananda (13-3), ranked No. 10 NYSSWA Class C. It was also the second victory over Lyons (13-3/No. 12 NYSSWA Class C) this season.
“They’re big wins for us,” Meuwissen said. “They’re a very good basketball team.”
Gananda took a 57-39 decision when the two teams met in mid-January. Jayla Bell scored 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Lyons in the first head-to-head. On Thursday night, Bell finished with 17 points along with four assists.
“Jayla’s a heckuva player,” Meuwissen said of the sophomore phenom who recently scored her 1,000th point. “She can get her shot whenever she wants to.
“If we can keep her to 20 and not 40, then we’ve done a good job, basically.”
Meuwissen didn’t overlook the rest of the Lions, though.
“They’ve got a lot of other weapons. In the second half, especially, they spread us out a lot.”
Trailing by seven at half, Lyons made it a one-possession game at 38-36 midway through the third quarter when Bell hit a three and teammate Kam Bonnell followed with a pair of free throws.
Ella Lathrop and Nicole Cruz led the Gananda response. Lathrop forced a turnover near mid-court then shuttled a lead to Cruz for a layup. Cruz then fed Lathrop in the post for a 43-38 Gananda advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
Kaylee Marvin inside. @GanandaGhoops 53-45 pic.twitter.com/oZBeQjE8Zv
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 3, 2023
Lyons, once again, rallied. Kara Stephens hit a jumper. Bell followed with a runner and another triple to cut the deficit to one at 46-45.
It was as close as the Lions would get.
Cruz scored twice in the open court over the final three minutes.
“We were having a hard time getting to multiple shooters,” Meuwissen explained. “I think they did a good job adjusting and trying to bring our big kid (Marvin) away from the basket. Luckily, they missed a few, and we got some rebounds.”
Marvin finished with 12 rebounds in the win. Jenny had 14 points. Cruz had six points as did twin sister, Nyah. Katie Rothwell scored four points while Lathrop and Madi Dohse both had three.
Nicole Cruz for 2 more. pic.twitter.com/bZm3oKv2xJ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 3, 2023
“I’m happy we won by double digits,” Meuwissen said. “It’s a good win.”
With the victory, Gananda improved to 8-2 in the league play and set up a virtual three-way tie with East Rochester (8-2) and Clyde-Savannah (8-1) atop the Wayne County standings. Gananda will look to avenge earlier losses to both ER and C-S when the Panthers take the court against both over the next six days. Gananda will travel to ER on Monday and C-S on Wednesday.
Millenyiah Glanton had 17 points for Lyons. Bonnell (9), Stephens (8) and Samantha Figueroa (3) also scored for the Lions.
Leave a Reply