SCCC Girls Summer League Basketball

Downsville fights back to edge Manor

Eldred and Liberty go unbeaten in week two

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Sporting new colorful Sullivan County Community College summer league jerseys, six girls teams sprang back into action this week in a series of games, showing marked improvement in the records of Liberty and Eldred. It left Downsville and Livingston Manor tied for the lead with records of 3-1.

Manor held onto the league lead, following Downsville’s forfeit to Eldred, because of a prior commitment to attend team camp. Following Liberty’s 34-29 win over Roscoe on July 20, in a game that featured a sterling comeback by the Lady Devils from a big early deficit, Downsville and Manor went at it.

Throughout the first half, Manor had its way, getting great inside penetration from Jackie Trotti and thwarting Downsville’s offense with good pressure. The Lady Eagles missed a bunch of shots close in, but guard Stephanie Shellman kept them in the mix with fine shooting. Manor got out to an 8-2 lead, but two quick baskets from Shellman got the game close. A steal from Katitlyn Peaster and her quick transition lay up brought the Eagles within two at 14-12, but Trotti went strong underneath to extend the lead.

With Downsville missing its follow-up shots and Manor getting good production from Rose Curtis and Marissa Diescher, the Lady Wildcats took a 22-15 lead into the half time break.

But the second half bore witness to a change in the game’s polarity.

Downsville’s Allison Townsend stole an inbounds pass and converted to make it 26-19 at 11:02, and by 4:47, the Lady Eagles’ comeback had them ahead by one point at 27-26. Diescher got the lead back with a pretty jumper, and Megan Ellison hit one-of-two free throws after a hard foul with 2:32 remaining to make it 29-27. Downsville pulled within one on a free throw and then got a key stop.

Rotating the ball around the perimeter to find the open shooter got the ball to Shellman at the top of the key. Curtis closed in, but arrived too late to stop the game winner that put Downsville ahead for good at 30-29. Manor did get a steal and had the ball to inbound with seven seconds left but was unable to convert although Diescher did get a good look as time waned.

The Downsville win thrust them back into a tie with Manor as week two ended.

Earlier in the evening, Eldred looked much better in their 30-12 victory over Tri-Valley. The Lady Yellowjackets led the whole way and got good play from Gabby Westfall, Stephanie Berger and Jessica Bisland. Both Eldred and Liberty went 2-0 this week.

In July 18 action, Liberty downed Tri-Valley 50-18 and Eldred benefited from the Downsville forfeit. Manor defeated Roscoe 28-18.

Standings as of July 20 are as follows:

Livingston Manor 3-1, Downsville 3-1, Liberty 2-2, Eldred 2-2, Roscoe 1-3, Tri-Valley 1-3.

Visit riverreportersports.com for additional photos from week two.