The Midlakes girls varsity basketball was the last Wayne-Finger Lakes boys or girls basketball team still playing when they took the court at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy on Friday afternoon for the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal game against the Susquehanna Valley Sabers out of Section IV. Both the Screaming Eagles and Sabers brough undefeated records to the NYS Final Four and one of those winning streaks would come to an end. Unfortunately for fans of Midlakes, it was their historic season that came to an end with an impressive 25-1 record, as they lost to the Sabers 60-48 (video highlights).
Midlakes was undersized entering the game against a team that started four girls that were on the Susquehanna Valley state title team from two seasons ago in 2015. The Sabers also featured a 6’4 junior center surrounded by four senior starters. Coach Rich knew his team faced a daunting task in facing Susquehanna Valley but after Alaina Forbes nailed a three pointer in the waning seconds of the opening quarter, the Screaming Eagles entered the second quarter tied with the Section IV champs at 15-15.
After one quarter it’s deadlocked 15-15 between Midlakes and Susquehanna Valley in the NYSPHSAA Class B semifinals. @MidlakesAthletx @NYSPHSAA @SectionVsports @SectVGBB @susquehanna pic.twitter.com/VqcJqa6GFd
— Jack Haley (@jackhaley42) March 16, 2018
In the second quarter the Sabers gave Midlakes a taste of their own medicine, forcing multiple turnovers with their full-court pressure defense and converting them into transition baskets. This is usually the Screaming Eagles recipe for success but on Friday, Susquehanna forced 29 Midlakes turnovers, and held a 36-23 halftime lead after outscoring Midlakes 21-8 in the 2nd quarter.
At the half Susquehanna Valley leads Midlakes 36-23 in the NYSPHSAA Class B semifinals. @MidlakesAthletx @NYSPHSAA @SectionVsports @SectVGBB @susquehanna pic.twitter.com/vAsP2a9tNp
— Jack Haley (@jackhaley42) March 16, 2018
Midlakes would trail by as many as 17 in the game but fought back to cut the lead to just 7 late in the third period, but Susquehanna Valley always had the answer and eventually outlasted the Screaming Eagles to advance to the Class B state title game against Irvington on Saturday night.
https://twitter.com/TimIrvingSports/status/974785501042442241
Susquehanna Valley was led by an 18 point effort from Hannah Haskel, who added 6 assists, and 12 points from point guard Holly Manchester that included 3 first half three-pointers. 6’4 Maeve Donnelly picked up her third found in the second quarter and was held to just 8 points, all the the final period. Donnelly did turn back 5 Midlakes shots at the rim in the second half but pulled down just 4 rebound on the game.
For Midlakes Alaina Forbes provided the bulk of the scoring finishing with 30 points, four rebounds, 2 assists and 3 streals. If there was one negative to Forbes’ performance in the loss, it was the nine turnovers she committed. She wasn’t alone in the giveaway category as Cara Walker turned the ball over 7 times and Claire DeBoover 5 times.
#12 Alaina Forbes of Midlakes gets the ball back and scores another 2 points after just scoring #NYSPHSAA pic.twitter.com/rR9N7CW4xn
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) March 16, 2018
Cara Walker, the team’s 2nd leading scorer was limited offensively by the suffocating defense of Trinasia Kennedy who held the freshman phenom to just 4 points, her lowest output of the season.
Midlakes full timeout with 2:22 left in the first half and they trail Susquehanna Valley 34-19 in the NYSPHSAA Class B semifinals. @MidlakesAthletx @NYSPHSAA @SectionVsports @SectVGBB @susquehanna pic.twitter.com/8x4vNEerrM
— Jack Haley (@jackhaley42) March 16, 2018
Senior point guard Jordan Naeye finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while commiting just 2 turnovers in her final high school basketball game. Fellow senior Claire DeBoover finished with 4 points.
NYSPHSAA Class B semifinal
4-Susquehanna Valley 60
5-Midlakes 48
Final
Strong effort from a scrappy-as-hell Midlakes squad, but SV just too strong & finished the job. SV/Irvington in tomorrow’s B finals! Once again, #GetYourPopcornReady pic.twitter.com/1dStTBPepi— Empire State Takeover (@NYSTakeover) March 16, 2018
For Midlakes, the loss marked the end of the most successful girls basketball season in school history. The Lady Screaming Eagles finish the season with just one loss, and with a Finger Lakes East league title, their first Sectional title since 1975, and the school’s first ever trip to the NYSPHSAA Final Four.
The final buzzer also marked the conclusion of FingerLakes1.com’s live coverage of the Wayne-Finger Lakes high school basketball leagues this season. In all, FingerLakes1.com brought you 44 live basketball games. FL1 Sports will wrap up the season on Sunday, March 25th on the season finale of the Upstate Hoops Podcast.
Click here to to listen to a replay of FL1 Sports entire broadcast from Friday at Hudson Valley Community College (pregame begins at 9:14 mark, opening tip is at the 32:54 mark)
Friday’s live broadcast of the Midlakes Screaming Eagles at the NYS Final Four was sponsored by:
WARFIELD’S Restaurant, Lounge & Bakery
Located in downtown Clifton Springs, our restaurant features a seasonal menu of elegant country fare with Asian and European influences. Outdoor dining in our English garden is the perfect location to enjoy the small town ambiance. The updated lounge is an ideal setting for a cocktail before or after dinner featuring a vast selection of cognacs, scotches and cordials as well as an extensive beer and wine list.
And also through the support of the following individuals…
Daniel Sinack, Roger and Shirley Clemenson, Jody Wilbur, Trevor Arnold, D. Hussar, Monica Everdyke, Kevin Sharp, Liz Donk, Bryce Fegley, Nate Rich, Rick Nichols, Penny Eider, Andrew Buisch, Stephanie Buisch, Uncle Nate’s biggest fans, Katie MacIntyre, Sadie Bonetti, Heather & Bob Mott, and Brad VanDusen.
The Susquehanna Valley Sabers win 60-48 and will advance to the Finals tomorrow 3/17 @ 7pm #NYSPHSAA pic.twitter.com/eBL5PWnXBD
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) March 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/SERRATAPHOTO/status/974759706706219009