By PAUL GOTHAM
MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y. — A year ago, the Pavilion girls’ basketball team had its season end with a loss in the regional qualifiers.
With their gaze set forward rather than looking back, the current Golden Gophers advanced to the state tournament.
Tuesday night at Mount Morris High School, Lauren Kingsley and Karlee Zinkievich paced a balanced inside-out attack Tuesday night as Pavilion clinched a spot in the New York State Girls’ Class C Far West Regional with a convincing 43-22 victory over Oakfield-Alabama.
Facing a man-to-man defense in the first quarter, Kingsley took advantage to score eight of her 12 points to pace the Golden Gophers to 14-6 lead after eight minutes of play. The 6-foot-2 senior connected four times from the floor and then opened the scoring in the second quarter.
Lauren Kingsley grabs her own miss and converts. Pavilion 16-6. Kingsley has 10. pic.twitter.com/lGnZsSCBEK
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 8, 2023
“Lauren is such a presence in there,” Pavilion head coach Ben Schwenebraten said. “We knew we could get her some open shots. She finished in there early. Then they doubled and gave some other kids some open shots.”
When Oakfield-Alabama made a defensive adjustment to collapse on Kingsley in the paint, Zinkievich asserted herself on the perimeter.
“They switched to zone,” Schwenebraten explained. “We moved the ball. We were efficient enough to get some open looks, and Karlee made some big shots. It was good.”
The senior guard found the range from distance late in the second quarter and then continued with two more triples in the third quarter as part of an 18-point performance – 13 of those points coming in the second half.
“A lot of times you got to tell her to shoot more. She’s the ultimate competitor. She’s the type of kid you want on your team because she’s the ultimate gamer. She doesn’t want to lose. She hates to lose.
“Having that kid on your team that’s just great. You don’t have to tell her what to do. You put the ball out there, she’s going to go get it. She’s going to hit the shot. She’s going to get her teammates open.”
Pavilion’s defense held Oakfield-Alabama nearly 28 points under its season average (49.5) and 19 points under its season-low of 41 points.
Karlee Zinkievich connects on a second straight triple. Pavilion has stretched the lead to 23 at 36-13. Class C Regional Qualifier. pic.twitter.com/7BS8ID2tYU
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 8, 2023
“The defensive end was fantastic,” Schwenebraten said. “They were just flying around, everybody. It’s not just the big two. It’s everybody. Ella (Tillotson) and Kylie (Conway) played fantastic on defense, getting rebounds. “Mack” (Makayla Washburn) was boxing out down there.”
The win was the 11th straight for Pavilion (22-3).
Lauren Kingsley finds Kylie Conway to start the third-quarter scoring. Pavilion 28 Oakfield-Alabama 12. Class C qualifier pic.twitter.com/qSypJ0vvuu
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 8, 2023
Last season, the Golden Gophers lost to eventual state semifinalist East Rochester in the regional qualifier. Their response to that setback might be part of the reason why they improved on that outcome.
“We never even talked about it,” Schwenebraten said. “These girls are all business. Our goal is to play again, and it wasn’t about what happened last year. It was about they’re in our way to get to the next game. Not once. We didn’t even think about it, didn’t talk about it.
“It’s all about getting back to practice together tomorrow, so we get to come back for two more hours tomorrow. That’s about it.”
Mikayla Washburn (8) and Kylie Conway (5) rounded out the scoring for Pavilion.
The Golden Gophers return to regionals for the first time since 1981 when then head coach John Eisenhard’s squad advanced to the state semifinals. Eisenhard serves as an advance scout for the current Pavilion team.
“He’s the guy who does all the lead work on scouting. It’s a great town, great community, great bunch of kids. It’s really nice to get back to this point.”
Pavilion will face Section VI champion Randolph on Saturday. A 3 p.m. tip-off is scheduled at Buffalo State College.
Alea Groff and Caitlin Ryan led Oakfield-Alabama (20-4) with six points apiece. Brooke Redding (5), Piper Hyde (3) and Emma Wray (2) also scored for the Hornets.
Joe Scanlan says
Good luck in the Far Western Regionals on Saturday, Ben!!! Go Lady Gophers🏀👍
John Eisenhard says
Thanks for the comments in your article regarding Pavilion Central Girls Bball Team.
In 1981, the first year of the State Tournament, PCS got to the FINALS undefeated. It was still the years of 4 seasons of sports, so we ended Section V play at 14-0. Qualifier was against Livonia, the Western Regional vs Salamanca, semi-finals of States vs South Jefferson (Watertown area). We came into the the finals with a record of 18-0 and lost to Wyandanch of Suffolks County 43-40. The game was played at the Palestra at UR on the 4th of April.
Great memories and this group will feel the same way no matter what the outcome.