Top-seeded B-G mows down Sidney to advance to MAC Championship

Frank Speziale Photo

BAINBRIDGE – A snowy wintery night saw the first seed in the MAC league tournament easily knock off fourth seeded Sidney by a dominating score of 69-36.

This top-seed wasn’t just any top seed – they were the undefeated Bainbridge-Guilford girls varsity basketball team who coming into the game help an impressive 18-0 overall record with an 11-0 MAC record.

This stretch of wins – saw one more added to the growing list – as the visiting Warriors came to Bainbridge on Friday, Feb. 10, and were simply attacked from start to finish.

The B-G ladies were led by sophomore standout Abigail Selfridge who recorded a double-double in the game with her game high 24 points – coupled with her 17 rebounds and four steals. Selfridge was heavily assisted by her teammate Megan Palmatier on the day – who snagged a double-double as well with her 15 points and 11 rebounds and five assists. The duo ran wild on the court, opening up lanes for the rest of the Bobcats – as eight total B-G girls scored in the blowout.

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The lady Bobcats opened the onslaught up with 10-0 run in the first period – a run which upended Sidney to begin the game – as they flailed to a 14-5 deficit with 1:43 left before gaining some footing to bring the game back to the final score of 19-11.

Movement, movement, movement – the lady Bobcats ran circles on the Warriors who looked frustrated at best – as shots fell from every direction in the first half of play. Although only four B-G players scored in the first half – Jillian Cannistra saw her only points of the night come when she hit a trifecta of three-point shots in the second half.

Up 27-13 as the second period looked to be winding down – and with Abi Selfridge scoring 10 points in the half, going 5-6 from the charity stripe – B-G's head coach Bob Conway employed a heavy dosage of Palmatier up the middle. With multiple chances off of rebounds in the first half, Palmatier was able to capitalize down the stretch in the first half – as she finished the half five field goals – helping to take the game 36-22 halftime lead in favor of B-G.

With the game still theoretically up for grabs, the third period proved to be the best of the bunch for the Warriors. Sidney would match the production of B-G, each snagging 10 points in the third. As Ariyahna Bernard continued her solid day – grabbing her final field goal in the game for her 13th and final points for a team high for Sidney.