UTICA — It hasn’t been football season for some time in Utica,
but fans of the Redskins girls basketball team were treated to some hard hitting
Monday.
Utica scrapped throughout its games against visiting Newark Catholic, but could
not pull out the victory as it fell, 60-55, in its non-league match.
“Our kids played their butts off,” said Utica coach Michelle Snow. “They
went out there and they were just battling, battling, battling. Newark Catholic
played hard. Our kids played hard. It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t
come out on top on the scoreboard.”
The Green Wave were lucky to escape Utica with the late-season win despite still
being tied with less than 10 seconds to go in the game.
The Redskins started out well, jumping ahead, 20-12, in the first quarter when
Taylor Dush landed three 3-pointers and Kalee Gorius hit another.
Utica was still up by seven at the start of the second half. The Redskins fought
the the quick-striking Green Wave throughout the game, grabbing 32 rebounds.
The Green Wave fought back with 16 steals.
“We have grown a great deal and these kids continue to come in day after
day,” said Snow. “They continue to get knocked down and get right
back up. They get a nice win here and there and they continue to do some nice
things. We’ve grown a lot and gained a lot of experience this year.”
The Redskins, who gave up 26 turnovers, saw their lead melt away with a couple
of errant passes and a trio of big baskets by Newark Catholic center Erin Sims.
Andrea Spencer hit a bucket, with a little over two minutes remaining in the
third, to give Newark Catholic the lead, 36-35.
For the full story, click here for the February 8, 2011 e-edition
