IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: CANDOR RUNS AWAY FROM ODESSA FOR 54-35 VICTORY (January 6, 2026)

Tioga County Sports Report
CANDOR — In a key IAC Small School South Division showdown, Candor ran away from Odessa-Montour for a convincing 54-35 win here Tuesday night.

Playing in their first home game, the Coyotes used a stellar second half defensive effort to pull away from the Grizzlies.

“I told the girls that words can't express how proud I am of them tonight,” coach Carl Kanoff said. “They executed the game plan thoroughly on both ends of the court. We made some changes and adjustments after the first quarter and they turned it into their best game of the season.

“Defense was phenomenal. Hazel Ray had the incredibly tough task of locking in with one of the leading scorers in the section and she performed admirably. Shawna Conklin slid into help defense all night and was a shut-down at the rim.

Megan Williamson scored all 10 of Candor's first quarter points on three field goals, a 3-pointer and a free throw. Odessa was paced by seven points from Leah Antes on a 3-pointer and two field goals. Brooklyn Thompson added a three as the teams deadlocked at 10.

The teams traded baskets throughout the second frame, neither team having a lead of more than three. Thompson opened the quarter with a three for O-M, but Candor battled back with a basket from Hazel Ray and a three from Williamson.

Antes would respond with another trey seconds later to regain the Grizzly lead. Antes, Olivia Barr, and Vanessa Wood would all chip in baskets over the next several minutes as Williamson, Shawna Conklin, and Malley Heidl would all hit for Candor. Heidl's 3-pointer would give the Coyotes a momentary lead halfway through the period.

After two more Antes baskets, Emmi Makie hit a jumper with 20 seconds remaining in the half to give Candor a 26-25 edge going into the break.

After Antes opened the second-half scoring to give Odessa the lead again, the remainder of the half was all Coyotes as the Grizzlies only managed two more field goals and four free throws in the remaining 15 minutes.

Candor used an 11-0 run to enter the final stanza up 37-27. Williamson scored seven, Makie four, and Conklin and Ray two each as Candor pulled away, 17-8, over the final minutes.

“Offensively they showed us an ‘and 2’ defense, trying to take away Emmi and Megan. We really played as a team, finding the open player and finding ways to score. When Emmi got doubled, which was all night, Megan and Malley cashed in from outside.

“I just can't say enough about the level of basketball and teamwork they exhibited tonight. The girls off the bench gave us crucial minutes as well. We were certainly exhausted but left it all on the floor. Tremendous division win in a really important game. And it's nice to finally play at home.”

Williamson pumped out 24 points (3 threes) to lead the charge and added seven rebounds, two assists and three steals while Makie contributed a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds. She also had two assists and six steals.

Ray chipped in with seven points and six boards; Conklin recorded five points, seven rebounds, th.ee steals and six blocks; and Heidl added six points (2 threes), six rebounds and three assists.

Antes, who came in averaging 26 points per game, led O-M (5-5) with 21.

Candor (4-3) returns Friday when it hosts Marathon in an IAC crossover.

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IN PHOTO: Megan Williamson. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO

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