IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: CANDOR TOPS S-VE; CLINCHES THIRD STRAIGHT DIVISION TITLE (February 3, 2026)

Tioga County Sports Report
SPENCER — The Candor girls basketball team ran its winning streak to 10 games and clinched the IAC South Small School Division with a 47-30 victory over Spencer-Van Etten here Tuesday evening.

The Coyotes opened the game with a 7-0 run capped by a conventional 3-point play from Megan Williamson in a relatively slow first quarter, taking the frame, 11-2. Williamson added another bucket and was joined in scoring by Hazel Ray, Shawna Conklin and Emmi Makie.

Amani Diboun put the Panthers on the scoreboard.

The Coyotes’ scoring was well balanced again in the second, with four from Makie and Ray, a trey from Williamson and a basket from Malley Heidl to put Candor up at the half, 24-9.

S-VE got four points from Trinity Dashler and a 3-pointer from Maddy Gentile.

The third quarter proved to be Candor’s lowest scoring output, but their defense was able to keep the Panthers from gaining ground. Ray put in another five points, getting three at the charity stripe, while Heidl hit a jumper and Ally Mesick added a 3-pointer to make it 34-17 heading into the final frame.

Kaidince Root accounted for all eight of the Panthers’ points which included a 3-pointer.

The teams ended up playing an even final frame as the Coyotes extended their lead to 23 before the Panthers hit two treys with under 30 seconds remaining.

Candor’s scoring was once again balanced, this time among all five starters with Ray scoring four, Heidl three, and baskets from Williamson, Conklin and Makie.

Diboun and Kaylee Kastenhuber knocked down one trey apiece for S-VE, Lauren Gillette had three points, and Dashler and Root tacked on one bucket each.

“The girls did another great job executing the game plan,” Cando coach Carl Kanoff said. “Solid on defense and great rebounding. We also shared the ball really well on the offensive end and had some nice passing to open looks.”

This was the third consecutive division title for the Coyotes (12-3).

Ray recorded a double-double with a season-high 15 points and 14 rebounds. Williamson contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two steals; Conklin had four points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks; Makie pitched in with eight points and eight rebounds; Heidl added seven points, two assist and two steals; and Ally Mesick tacked on three points and two rebounds.

Root led the Panthers with 10 points, two assists a steal and a rebound; Dashler had six points and two boards, Diboun recorded five points, a steal and a rebound; Kastenhuber had three points, eight boards and two assists; Gillette added three points, seven boardscand one assist; Maddy Gentile chipped in with three points,three rebounds and one assist; and Kendall Gentile tacked on three rebounds and a steal.

On Friday, S-VE visits Tioga and Candor hosts Groton.

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IN PHOTO: Hazel Ray. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO.

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