Girls Hoops: Hustling Huskers Fall Short

Those who were at Yorktown High School Dec. 22 saw a group of Yorktown players that were willing to do anything it took in order to win.

Unfortunately, they were playing a team in Ketcham that was equally determined to earn a victory.

The visitors from Dutchess County were able to get out to a 11-5 first quarter lead and didn't look back in what turned out to be a 46-34 Ketcham triumph.

On a foul shot by Stephanie Kuczinski, Yorktown (0-4) went in front 3-2 but Ketcham (3-3) then scored the game's next eight points to go up 10-3.

"We've had some hard times getting out in the first quarter," Yorktown coach Dan Lopez said. "We had a nice little run, then they hit some big shots, our defense wasn't that great and before you know it we are down by eight (24-16) heading into the half and fighting uphill."

One reason why the Huskers were fighting uphill was because of the shooting of Ketcham's Allison Ginter, who tallied a game-high 15 points.

"No. 3 (Ginter) killed us," Yorktown's Michelle Pike said. "We couldn't stop her from shooting outside. They got a lot of offensive rebounds and that was one of the keys that really hurt us."

Pike, who scored a team-high eight points, attempted to get the Huskers back in the game when they entered the fourth quarter down 34-24. Pike scored the final quarter's first hoop when she made a running shot on the baseline, where the ball went off the glass and in.

Pike was fouled on the play before making the foul shot that cut Ketcham's lead to seven.

"I knew we were down 10 at the time and we had to score quickly and score fast if we were going to have any chance of coming back," Pike said. "I saw the girl came forward and I knew I just had to fade back a little. It's all about helping the team. I was hoping that would springboard us which it almost did but we just weren't able to come back."

Lopez appreciated the effort Pike made coming off the bench, as she slowed down Ketcham's Jackie Hart. Hart scored six points in the first quarter but only three after that.

"We needed her to stop 21 (Hart) because 21 was really hurting us inside," Lopez said. "She did a good job doing that. Once the defense started coming, she was able to turn that into offense. She went to the free-throw line, she had a nice and one (beginning of the fourth quarter), that started some momentum. We cut it to five at a point but that was all the spark we had right there."

Despite the loss, Lopez was very happy with his team's effort.

"No question, every game, these girls come to play," Lopez said. "Every single minute when they are on the floor, they are not dogging it out there, they are working hard. They do the best they can with what they have. I know we are undersized, we are not the most talented team but they are working hard and making the best of their situation. No coach can ask for anything more than that."

POINT TOTALS

Ketcham-Allison Ginter (15), Sam Alonzo (10), Kayla Kruse (10), Jackie Hart (9), Madeleine Tierney (2)

Yorktown-Michelle Pike (8), Sam Corrado (7), Marissa Makar (6), Allie O'Connell (5), Stephanie Kuczinski (3), Nicole Palmadesso (2), Kristen Boyle (2), Jen Kelsey (1)