Girls’ Basketball
Oxford 32, Unatego 24
OTEGO – Oxford blanked Unatego over the final eight minutes Wednesday night, and roared past the Spartans and into the Midstate Athletic Conference championship game.
The Blackhawks’ Julianne Heggie hit four free throws in the last two minutes to help cement her club’s eighth straight victory. The victory also avenged a 16-point loss to the Spartans in mid-Decmeber. “It wasn’t the prettiest basketball game, but we were able to get the win,” said Oxford coach Chris Palmer. “I really can’t say enough about the effort and hustle, really, from both teams. We were able to shore up a couple of things up defensively, and we were able to lock down their key players in the final quarter.”
Kayla Talbot scored all eight of her points in the first quarter as Unatego led by three after one period. The margin stayed at three despite Oxford starters Julianne and Jacquelyn Heggie sitting significant minutes in the second half due to foul trouble. “A big key was Sarah (Renaud) and Megan (Golden) coming in for Julie and Jackie, and we were able to keep the game within three points,” Palmer said. “We put in a couple of baskets early in the fourth quarter and we were able to make enough free throws at the end.”
Julianne Heggie had nine points and Golden eight for Oxford (11-6), who will play Harpursville in the league title game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Oneonta State.
Oxford: Emily Smith, 1 0-0-2; Sarah Renaud, 0; Megan Golden, 2 2-2-8; Jacquelyn Heggie, 1 0-0-2; Julianne Heggie, 2 5-8-9; Lacey Barry, 3 1-4-7; Brooke Noble, 2 0-1-4. Totals: 11 8-15-32 .
Unatego: Robin Foster, 1 0-0-2, Kayla Talbot, 4 0-0-8, Casey Manzanero, 3 0-3-6, Rachel Wessells, 0, Courtney Bullis, , Michaela Reynolds, 0, Sarah Mannina 2 1-4-6, Marissa Woodard, 1 0-0-2. Totals: 11 1-7-24.
Oxf 9 4 8 11–32
Unat. 12 4 8 0–24
Fouled out: (O) Jac. Heggie, (U) Manzanero. Three-point goals: (U) Mannina. (O) Golden 2. JV: Unatego won.
Harpursville 36, Bainbridge-Guilford 29
HARPURSVILLE – Harpursville survived a stern test from Bainbridge-Guilford Wednesday night, and will play for its third straight MAC championship topping the Bobcats in a league semifinals matchup.
The Hornets scored 15 of their 21 second-half points from the foul line, and were 10-for-12 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter to hold off B-G. “They beat us by 28 the first time, and we’ve really been up and down all year,” said Bobcats coach Bob Conway. “I wanted us to go down there and play hard, and I felt we played extremely hard. The ball didn’t go in the basket at a couple of key times, and they were able to get to the foul line, while we didn’t.”
Randi Conway had 12 points for B-G, and Morgan Bullis scored eight points and pulled down 12 board in what coach Conway said was her best game of the season. Shania Vandermark added 14 rebounds in the loss.
Amanda Frayer led Harpursville with 18 points including 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the last quarter.
B-G: Shania Vandermark, 1 0-1-2; Randi Conway, 3 4-4-12 ; Abbey Smith, 1 0-0-2; Morgan Bulllis, 4 0-0-8; Alissa Rivera, 2 1-2-5; Amber DeGroat, ; Caitlan Vandermark, 0; Betsy Holden, 0. Totals: 11 5-7-29.
Harpursville: S. Esperanza-Gutierrez, 0; Savannah Murray, 1 2-4-4 ; Marci Ritter, 0; Amanda Frayer, 4 8-12-18; Medovich, Emily McElwain, 2 0-0-4; Kayleigh Livermore, 0 0-1-0; Tatiana Sosnowsky, 0 2-2-2; Miranda Drummond, 2 4-4-8. Totals: 9 16-23-36.
B-G 5 7 6 11-29
Harp. 2 13 5 16-36
Fouled out: (BG) Smith. Three-pointers: (BG) Conway 2 (H) Frayer 2. JV: B-G won 25-23.
Unadilla Valley 45, Walton 40
