Unrelenting hunger

Richard A Ross
Posted 8/21/12

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — These days there are far too many people going hungry, and as the words of Simone Weil remind us, it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to allay that terrible …

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Unrelenting hunger

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LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — These days there are far too many people going hungry, and as the words of Simone Weil remind us, it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to allay that terrible deprivation.

To that end, the Livingston Manor Girls Basketball tournament, dubbed “Hoops For Hunger,” sought to help that cause by having teams and onlookers donate non-perishable foods. Each team had to contribute 50 items, and spectators donated three items as their price of admission to the hoops tourney, which featured the Lady Wildcats hosting Roscoe, Liberty and Sullivan West. In total, more than 300 items were collected, and will be donated to the Liberty Elks with the help of Manor coach Kevin Clifford. Like the Coaches vs. Cancer tournaments staged across the nation, including the BCANY Coaches vs. Cancer Classic that takes place at Sullivan County Community College each year, the game of basketball oftentimes plays a role in fundraising for noble causes.

But there is another kind of hunger, namely the hunger to compete and hopefully to become victorious. So, in addition to working towards the noble cause of the tournament, the hunger to play the game they so dearly love was also on the minds of the young women who took part in the two-day tournament, the opening salvo of a dense and intense season that is now about to get underway in earnest.

Following the opening night drama of Sullivan West’s 42-37 double-overtime win over Livingston Manor, coupled with Liberty’s 33-11 win over Roscoe, the die was cast for the championship and consolation match-ups for November 25. In that opening night fray between the Lady Wildcats and the Lady Bulldogs, Manor sophomore Devon Dutcher led all scorers with 19 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks. Her timely trey and a subsequent put back by Emily Gorr in the waning seconds of regulation propelled the game into overtime. Dutcher would eventually foul out, but Manor’s biggest bugaboo of the night was its struggles from the free-throw line, canning a mere six out of 42 attempts. In the consolation game, Manor (1-1) defeated Roscoe (0-2) 41-22. Dutcher would be named to the All-Tournament team, thanks to her 22 points and 20-rebound contribution. In the tightly-fought championship game between eventual winner Liberty (2-0) and Sullivan West (1-1,) Sullivan West looked like it would prevail. The Lady Bulldogs led 13-8 at the end of the first quarter, and 19-16 at the half. Each team netted seven in the third stanza, but it was all Liberty in crunch time as they outscored Sullivan West 15-4 in the fourth quarter, to secure the 38-30 victory. The Lady Bulldogs were led by Ali Hemmer, who netted 13 points. Tournament MVP Karissa Yoli of Liberty had 18, abetted by nine points from Kelsey Morgans. Liberty shot 11 for 24 from the stripe (45.8 %) as compared to the Lady Westies’ 4-for-26 (15.3%). That included going just 2 for 11 in the final stanza. Needless to say, coaches from all four teams will be stressing free-throw shooting in their practice sessions. Named to the All-Tournament team, in addition to Sullivan West’s Ali Hemmer, were teammate Carly Grishaber, Manor’s Devon Dutcher and Liberty’s Zytoria Reynolds. The Lady Indians and Lady Bulldogs will stage a rematch on December 4 in Lake Huntington for a non-league fray. Liberty is Class B and Sullivan West moved down to Class C this year.

Manor will host Tuxedo on December 2 in a non-league encounter. Roscoe (0-2) will travel to Tuxedo on December 4. Liberty Coach Beth Quatrale was very pleased with the win and with starting the season at 2-0.

“It’s basically what we wanted to happen,” she noted. “We’re a very young team with only two players with varsity experience and only one returning starter. I told the girls when we got in the tournament, let’s see what we’re made of,” she added. “It’s a good way to start the year.” Kelsey Morgans was missing for the opening round game, but her presence in this clash made a difference. She came out on fire in the second half.

Liberty made their free throws when they mattered, netting eight from the stripe in the final stanza, which turned out to be the difference in the score. Liberty will face a determined Lady Bulldogs team in Sullivan West’s home opener on December 4. In other hoops action this week, the Monticello boys opened at home versus Monroe-Woodbury on December 2, and then got set to travel to the annual tournament at Wallenpaupack for a pair of games across the river. Eldred’s girls will host defending Section IX Class C Champion Tri-Valley on December 3. For an album of photos from the “Hoops For Hunger” tournament, as well as for other events, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

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