IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: CANDOR’S EXPERIENCE, 3-POINT ASSAULT TOO MUCH FOR TIOGA; MAKIE REACHES MILESTONE (January 13, 2026)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Candor brought the advantage in experience to Tioga and, with a red-hot assault from 3-point range, defeated Tioga, 60-31, in IAC South Small School girls basketball action here Tuesday evening.

The Coyotes knocked down 13 treys, including 11 in the first half to build a 45-21 halftime cushion. Their first three baskets came from beyond the arc, giving them a 9-0 advantage in just over two minutes.

“We were super hot,” Candor coach Carl Kanoff said. “Megan (Williamson), Malley Heidl), Emmi (Makie), all of them hitting. Good kick-outs to them, good tempo, and we were hot. That's what the defense gave us, so luckily that's what we took.”

“They had a lot of outside shots today that we just couldn't stop,” Tioga coach Stephanie Hills said. “If we can contest a few more of those, and be a little more aggressive outside of the 3-point arc, I think that will help us.”

Despite the deficit, the Tigers have shown improvement since the teams’ last two meetings, both wins by Candor at the Charlie Sibley Memorial and Chop Out Hunger tournaments.

“It was a little rough,” Hills said of the Chop Out Hunger game, “but I think that was kind of our low that they needed to see and now I think they're ready to just keep building.”

“I just told coach Hills they're much improved,” Kanoff said. “They're a young team, scrappy team. They got some good shooters, girls that know what to do with the ball. They're going to be coming a long way. They're going to be a force in the division for sure. You can tell just the way they played, the work they put in. That's good for them.”

“We are slowly working on improving,” Hills said. “They're starting to piece some things together, which is nice to see. They want to get better and they're putting in the work so I'm proud of them.”

Candor’s usual starting five (Hazel Ray missed this game) has logged numerous games together, giving them a distinct advantage in experience over the Tigers, whose 10-player lineup included one senior and one junior.

“I think that definitely helps their whole team chemistry,” Hills said. “When you play together for such a long period of time, you start to read each other better.”

Emmi Makie and Megan Williamson led the Coyotes to a 21-11 first-quarter lead with eight points apiece. Both canned two 3-pointers each while Malley Heidl added another.

Irie Lynch put up five points, including a trey, for the home team.

Makie pumped out 11 points in the second period, hitting a trio of 3-pointers. She also scored her 1,000th career point, making a short jumper with 1:31 remaining in the half.

“That's one of those things we knew was coming,” Kanoff said. “We talked pre-game, just play basketball, let it flow. I told her she'd be tight and once she got it, it would loosen up. It did happen. Really proud of her, really happy for her.

“It means a lot to have a player of that caliber be consistent night after night. We figured she'd get it in the first half and certainly she did.”

Heidl tacked on three more treys in the period as well as Candor extended its advantage to 24 points at the break.

Lynch added another five points, with a trey, for the Tigers while Kate Kithcart drained a 3-pointer.

The Coyotes would hold a slight 9-8 edge in the third quarter with Williamson popping in another 3-pointer to take a 54-29 lead into the final stanza..

Williamson hit from beyond the arc one more time in the final frame, accounting for five of Candor’s six points. Tioga had two, those coming on a bucket by Kithcart.

The Coyotes have developed strong team chemistry and the teamwork has paid off for the division leaders.

“I'm really proud of that,” Kanoff said of the teamwork. “We do share the ball. We look for the open person. Everybody that can put the ball up, knows when. That's what I preach is that you shoot when you're open, you pass when your teammate’s open. We've really lived that motto and that's what's really helped us, especially the last couple games in the winning streak that we're on, is that we've looked to everybody to get it done and we all come through.”

Makie finished the game with 22 points, including five 3-pointers, giving her 1,009 points for her career. She also registered a double-double, pulling down 16 rebounds,and tacked on five steals and three assists.

Williamson contributed four threes and 19 points to go with four assists and three steals while Heidl added a dozen points, all from beyond the arc, and grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked two shots

Shawna Conklin added five points on 5-for-6 free throw shooting, hauled in a dozen boards, and also had three steals and three blocks. Deanna Rich had two points; Montana Vorhis chipped in with five steals and two rebounds; and Ally Mesick had five boards, a steal and a block.

Lynch paced Tioga with 10 points, hitting two treys and going 2-for-2 at the stripe. Kitchcart chipped in with seven points and one 3-pointer, Decker and Kaylynne Miller contributed six points each, and Adrienne Delmage added two points.

Candor improved to 4-2 (6-3 overall) while Tioga slipped to 0-5 (0-9 overall).

The Coyotes travel to Windsor Thursday for a non-league game while the Tigers visit Southern Cayuga Friday.

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IN PHOTO 1: Emmi Makie shoots for her 1,000th career point. IN TOP PHOTO: Candor fans celebrate Makie’s milestone. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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