In pursuit! Kayla Russo of the Family School defends against Manor’s Marissa Diescher.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
Gridlock in the fast lane.
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The home team demolished the opposition 62-15 in Thursday’s girl’s varsity league game of hoops.
The Lady Wildcats of Livingston Manor jumped out to a 22-6 lead in the first period and never looked back, as they outgunned the Family Foundation School’s Lady Falcons 13-1, 10-6 and 17-3 I the game’s remaining three frames.
At the half, Manor (5-3 overall, 3-1 division) headed off to the locker room with a commanding 35-7 lead.
The Family School’s Karen Soule sets up for a pass.
The Family School (1-8) finally broke though the double-digit barrier with a two-pointer at 1:11 in the third period.
Top guns for the Lady Wildcats: Marissa Diescher (20 points including a ‘3’), Maggie Calo (12 points).
Leading point getters for the Lady Falcons: Kayla Russo (5 points), Karen Soule (4), Sarah Vevante (4).
Stats from the free throw line: LMCS 5/21 (24%), FFS ½ (50%).
Lady Falcons coach Carlton Williams handed off the ball to his assistant Merissa Dunlap for a few brief post-game comments.
“Disappointing,” she said. “The team didn’t play as a team. they played without heart.”
Kevin Clifford and his Lady Wildcats.
Kevin Clifford, coach of the Lady Wildcats, summed up the win.
“Our defense played well tonight. We were able to work on a few things defensively, and that contributed to our offense…it was an overall team effort.”
“We’re starting to gel together, and we’re a pretty aggressive defensive team,” added Clifford.
Leading Manor’s offensive attack was Marissa Diescher, a junior who as a 10th grader had racked up 1,068 points during her varsity hoops career during the 2008-09 basketball season. Her first appearance on varsity was as a 7th grader in a Section 9 semi-final game.
“She’s a hard worker, one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached,” said Clifford. “She’s great kid.”
According to her coach, Diescher recently verbally accepted a full ride softball scholarship to Penn State.
Referee Ralph Kirchner officiated his first game of six decades of wearing a striped shirt.
In other noteworthy local sports news, the game marked Ralph Kirchner’s first game of six decades worth of officiating high school basketball.
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Lady Wildcats Claw Family School visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
The Catskill Chronicle 
Leave a comment