By PAUL GOTHAM
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 9-0 fourth-quarter run was not enough, and the Pittsford Sutherland girls’ basketball team saw its season come to an end Saturday afternoon with a 66-62 loss to Williamsville South in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A Far West Regional at Buffalo State College.
The Knights had a 59-55 lead with 4:26 remaining but were outscored 11-2 over the remainder of the contest.
“It was one of those games where you got over the hump, but we just couldn’t sustain it,” said Sutherland head coach Dan Judd. “We just couldn’t get that next stop to push it out.”
Trailing 55-50, Petra Hunt converted a pair of free throws and next trip down the floor the sophomore guard took a pass from Payton Hamilton and buried a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55.
Maddie Littlefield hit a runner in the lane for the Knights’ first lead of the second half. Hunt added two more on the next possession to force a timeout from Williamsville South.
“We were able to get downhill,” Judd said. “They were using a lot of resources on Lucy (Bush) and Petra. A lot of kids stepped up and got downhill. Maddie, Payton and Taylor (Hamilton) were able to attack.”
The loss snapped a nine-game Sutherland (18-7) winning streak.
“It’s a fantastic group of kids,” Judd said. “They worked really hard, bought in. The culture is great. The effort is great. We just couldn’t quite close it today.”
Williamsville South (16-9) used a half-court man-to-man defense that extended beyond the 3-point arc to pressure the Sutherland offense. Holy Cross commit Kimora Berry marked Bush.
“I did not predict that she would guard Lucy,” Judd said. “She (Lucy) did a good job. She adjusted and handled it well. She had a really good game with a kid going to Holy Cross guarding her.”
A Bush 3-pointer followed by a Taylor Hamilton basket gave Sutherland a 26-23 late in the second quarter.
Jayla Young responded for Williamsville South with a 3-pointer. Berry closed the half with a steal and layup for a 30-26 Billies’ lead.
Williamsville South will play either Ardsley (I) or Johnson City (IV) next weekend in the state semifinals.
Hunt hit three 3-pointers and led Sutherland with 23 points. Bush scored 16. Littlefield had nine for the Knights.
Berry finished with 17 to top Will South. Young and Tessa Petrie added 15 apiece. Hannah Meetze scored 14.
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