By PAUL GOTHAM
RIGA, N.Y. — Three players scored in double figures, and Webster Thomas defeated host Churchville-Chili, 54-45 in the championship of the More Than A Game tournament, Thursday.
Clinging to a one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, Thomas scored seven straight points and did not allow Churchville to make it a one-possession game for the duration of the contest.
“We’re a young team, so we’re doing a lot of learning,” said Webster Thomas head coach Jason Charno. “We don’t have any seniors, so we’re going to keep just getting better throughout the year.”
Maggie Smith scored on back-to-back possessions to spark the 7-0 run. Kristina Baller hit a 3-pointer then followed with a free-throw line jumper.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
Olivia Pelton took a pass from Olivia Bommelje and finished inside for a 50-41 lead with 1:11 to go in the contest.
Olivia Bommelje finds Olivia Pelton underneath. Thomas stretches its lead to nine at 50-41 with 1:11 remaining. pic.twitter.com/25LZr9Fn5b
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 28, 2023
Thomas hit four 3-pointers in the second quarter to take a 31-25 lead into halftime.
Churchville gave the Titans a variety of looks on the defensive end in the second half. The Saints alternated between half-court zone and man-to-man while frequently extending pressure into the front court.
Baller’s triple was the only shot from distance that Thomas hit in the last 16 minutes of the game.
“That was a great test for us to be able to fight through that,” Charno said. “We hit some big shots.”
The win was the third straight for Thomas (3-4) and third game for junior point guard Ruby Marrapese who returned to the lineup after she missed the opening of the season with an injury.
“She runs everything,” Charno said. “She’s really helped us a lot.
“We don’t really have necessarily a backup point guard. We did it by committee. That gave some of our other guards a chance to run the point. We’re better because of it.”
The Titans have also had to replace the scoring left behind by former player Mady Kelly.
“She was the shooter and we had a lot of role players,” Charno said of the current Nazareth Golden Flyer who eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau during her high school career. “There were a lot of times where they were in different positions around her. Mady was scoring and they were helping her out. Now they are learning how to score.”
Interior passing: Margaret Smith finds Olivia Pelton. pic.twitter.com/GikXl6FN6M
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 28, 2023
Churchville’s Emma Healy led all players with 25 points including a bucket to make it a 39-38 game. The Saints (2-6), which opened the game on an 8-0 run, did not regain the lead.
Emma Healy takes a handoff from Layla Jackson and makes it a one-point game at 39-38. pic.twitter.com/vaznKLGWKd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 28, 2023
Pelton and Smith led Thomas with 12 points. Olivia Bommelje added 10. Tournament MVP Marrapese had nine and Baller seven points. Emily Ford scored four. Smith joined Marrapese on the All-Tournament Team
Layla Jackson (8), Erin Marone (3), Bianca LiBritz (3), Ava Donaghue (2), Haley Leonard (2), Ava Briggs (1) and Ari Williams (1) rounded out the scoring for Churchville.
Healy and Leonard represented C-C on the All-Tournament squad.
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