Southern Tier Sports ReportCHENANGO FORKS — A fourth-quarter run was the difference as the Horseheads girls’ basketball team fell to Chenango Forks 58-43 in the STAC semifinals on Wednesday.
Horseheads was up 40-36 early in the fourth quarter, but Forks forced a couple turnovers and hit some key shots, pulling away with a 22-3 run to end the game.
Horseheads was down 13 in the first half, but was able to get it to four at the break and took the lead in the second half.
“I thought our kids played really hard defensively,” Horseheads coach Andy Scott said. “Our guards really held their scorers in check. D1 bound Maggie Warps was guarded by Megan Wolf and scored 11, which is well below her average. The effort was very good today and the kids on the floor did everything they could to help us win on that side of the floor. Energy was there from the bench and on the court. Shots just didn’t fall today.
“These kids have won two straight STAC titles and three straight division titles. They will have that for the rest of their lives. The important part of the season is ahead. We will regroup and get ready for sectionals. The next two weeks will be a great time to improve on positives, work on areas that need improvement and lock in. This team is in a good spot mentally, and they try really hard. 15 kids that give their full effort every day. Looking forward to the postseason with them.”
Forks led 16-9 after one quarter, but Horseheads got within 25-21 at the break. Horseheads tied things after three quarters, and Horseheads scored the first four points of the fourth, but Forks outscored the Blue Raiders 22-7 in the fourth.
Megan Wolf led Horseheads with 18 points. She had eight in the third quarter.
Maddie Ribble and Samantha Bonnell had seven points each and Jordyn Gross and Emma Kamas each had four points, while Leah Scott had three points.
Lauren Poske had 15 points and Grace Harkness had 12, while Warpus, who has multiple D1 offers, had 11 for Forks.
