IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: CANDOR MISSES CHANCE TO CLINCH DIVISION (2024-02-07)
Tioga County Sports Report
CANDOR — The Candor girls basketball team missed its chance to clinch the IAC South Small School division title Wednesday with a 63-46 loss to Groton in IAC crossover action.
The game started in the Coyotes' favor as they ran out to a 12-2 lead on the strength of 3-pointers by Emmi Makie and Megan Williamson. Groton would find its footing and battle back, with Candor taking the quarter by only five, 15-10. Makie scored 10 of Candor's points.
The second frame was a back-and-forth affair as Williamson opened with another trey, but Candor turnovers led to a scoring drought and the Red Hawks battled back. Groton would take the lead at the three-minute mark, 19-18, on a pair of free throws from Elizabeth Dykeman.
Williamson would hit another 3-pointer before Groton got three baskets from Devyn Blasz as the Coyotes had trouble hanging onto the ball. The Red Hawks entered the half with a 27-24 lead.
The remainder of the game was all Groton, as they stormed out of halftime with 22 points. Candor found its way to the foul line, but converted only three of 11 attempts. The Coyotes would pick up their scoring in the final frame by putting in 15, but the Red Hawks were able to keep pace with 14 of their own.
Nicola Soper finished with a double-double, scoring 13 while pulling down 25 rebounds. Makie also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Williamson scored 11 to go with three rebounds and two steals; Malley Heidl recorded seven points with three rebounds and two assists; Hazel Ray added a basket with five rebounds and three steals, and Maggie Jennison rounded out Candor's scoring with a free throw.
Candor returns to action Monday for a non-league game at Bainbridge-Guilford.
The Coyotes will play Spencer-Van Etten to break the division tie on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Spencer at 7:30 p.m. Spencer hosts the tie breaker because they are the larger school. The winner takes on Moravia Friday, Feb. 16 at TC3 for the overall small school title.
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IN PHOTO 1: Candor's Hazel Ray (L). ... PHOTOS BY SARAH HALL.
