Falcons earn split with Newfane in Holiday Tournament win

by Larry Austin
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 14, 2006

Niagara-Wheatfield earned a measure of revenge Saturday in winning their 10th annual girls basketball Holiday Tournament. The Falcons lost to Newfane in the championship game of the Wilson Tip-off Girls Basketball Tournament the previous Dec. 2. In their second meeting, the Falcons shook off a cold shooting night and won the rematch 50-44. The reversal was a matter of better decision-making, said N-W coach Diane Fegatilli. During the loss in Wilson, the Falcons made their jump shots, but turned the ball over against the defending Niagara-Orleans League champions. This time, they missed open jump shots, but turned the ball over infrequently, she said. “It was great playing Newfane twice. You don’t like to play the same non-league opponent twice, but Newfane has such a great team and a well-coached team that it helps us to get ready for the league,” Fegatilli said. Michele Schaffer had 22 points and was named the tourney’s Most Valuable Player. Kyrstin Lekki added 15 points and was named to the All-Tourney team. Point guard Margo Weber scored 22 points for Newfane, while center Laura Hambruch scored 10, mostly on the inside. The duo were named to the All-Tourney team as well. Hambruch scored five first quarter points to help erase an N-W’s early 5-0 lead. The Panthers went on an 11-0 run and led 11-5 just 6 minutes into the game.

Kyrstin Lekki drives into the lane and scores over Newfane’s Margo Weber during the championship game of the N-W Holiday Tournament. Lekki had 15 points in the 50-44 win by the Falcons. (photo by Larry Austin)

“They were able to get the ball down low. We just tried to play Laura (Hambruch) tight,” Fegatilli said. “She posted well, and our defense was fine. It was just that she made some nice shots, hard shots with people’s hands in her face.”

Meanwhile, the Falcons, other than Schaffer, struggled shooting the ball. Schaffer made three 3-point bombs and another long jumper in the first half and had 14 of N-W’s 22 points as N-W trailed 24-22 at intermission.

“We’re usually a very good shooting team, but I think that we hurried shots and we weren’t squared when we took them,” Fegatilli said.

N-W finally drew level at 37-37 in the fourth quarter on a Lekki putback. Kayley Oddo, a sophomore sub, provided back-to-back hoops on a bank shot and a driving layup for the Falcons’ first lead since early in the first quarter.

Defensively, N-W held Newfane to just 3 points over the first seven minutes of the final quarter. Oddo came on to “provide a little spark that we needed. She took the ball hard to the basket and made some good decisions,” Fegatilli said.

Mia McKie’s putback and a crucial Schaffer backcourt steal and layup put the game away.

“I know I don’t look relaxed, but when Michele has the ball in her hands I relax a lot,” Fegatilli said. “She’s been playing varsity since she was a freshman. She’s played with some really good players and she makes great decisions.”

In the consolation game, Mount St. Mary’s beat Hutch Tech 57-27. The Mount’s Sheila Sullivan and Hutch’s Jasmine Shabazz were named to the All-Tourney team.