PORT ALLEGANY — As Port Allegany made its way through the handshake line with Cameron County and back to its bench, chants of “three-peat!” echoed loudly in the PAHS Gymnasium.
Tuesday’s 47-20 win over CCHS culminated a dominating three-year run through the North Tier League and wrapped up the 2014-15 title for the Lady Gators.
Port Allegany has gone 44-1 in league play over the past three years, but this season’s run proved a little more difficult than the last two due to the overall strength and improvement of the league.
“Compliments again to the NTL,” said Port Allegany coach Kristina Francis. “We had to work hard for this championship. It’s not that we didn’t have to work hard for it in the past, but the level of play and talent is reflected in the number of teams going to the District 9 playoffs — from us to Northern Potter. These girls have earned it.”
The senior class — Lynae Delacour, Brooke Roys, Somer Buchsenschutz and Hannah Donnelly — have played pivotal roles. Delacour and Buchsenschutz started seeing major varsity minutes as freshman and Roys was right behind them her sophomore year.
Those three, coupled with Somer’s younger sister Autumn, are the top four scorers on the 2014-15 team, which improved to 20-1 overall, securing their third-straight 20-plus win season as well.
“These ladies have worked hard and these seniors are a crucial part of that success over the last three years,” Francis said. “It started four years ago with a playoff win at Cameron County and we’ve just continued to build on that success.”
Tuesday’s game against the Lady Raiders proved to be a coronation for Port Allegany.
It was a somewhat sluggish start for the Lady Gators, who trailed 5-3 early, but a triple by Autumn Buchsenschutz gave them the lead at 6-5 and they never looked back.
“Autumn’s three got us going,” Francis said. “I know she’s only a sophomore, but she’s very good at distributing the ball and when she becomes offensively involved, it opens up more options for us.”
Roys led a balanced attack, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
It’s the 20th time in 21 games that the senior forward has been in double figures scoring.
“It’s nice to know that you can miss shots and still depend on Brooke,” Francis said. “That’s huge.”
The lead swelled to 11, 21-10 at halftime, and a 17-3 third quarter run had Port in cruise control.
Amelia Holjencin’s triple gave Cameron County brief life, making it 25-13, but Port responded with 11 of the final 13 points of the third quarter, six of which came from Roys.
Francis also noted solid play off the bench, especially from Hannah Lathrop, who scored eight points and Kelly Haggard.
“Hannah stepped up big with eight points and Kelly is always going to do what you ask of her and give 110 percent every time out,” Francis said.
It was a different story for Cameron County.
The Lady Raiders (12-8, 7-7), who came in winners of four of their last five, struggled to hit shots all game.
Susie Guisto led the way with nine points, but it was a tough night overall for a team used to a balanced offensive output.
“We shot poorly, but give credit to Port Allegany’s defense,” said Cameron County coach Dave Sullivan. “We have to get ready for Coudersport (Thursday). It’s senior night and a big game for us.”
Both teams also have the District 9 playoffs on the horizon, with Port Allegany virtually locked in to one of the top two seeds.
“One more game (Thursday vs. Austin and then it’s time to start game planning for the District 9 playoffs,” Francis said. “We have to earn everything. That’s what I love about the district playoffs.”
CAMERON COUNTY (20)
M. Guisto 1-2-2-4, S. Guisto 3-1-4-9, Holjencin 1-0-0-3, Harrier 0-1-4-1, Lyon 1-0-0-2, Schatz 0-1-4-1, Austin 0-0-0-0, Abriatis 0-0-0-0, Genevro 0-0-0-0, Fledderman 0-0-0-0, Totals 6-5-16-20
PORT ALLEGANY (47)
A. Buchsenschutz 2-1-2-6, S. Buchsenschutz 2-0-0-5, Delacour 2-2-4-6, Pelchy 2-2-6-6, Brooke Roys 6-2-5-14, Haggard 1-0-0-2, Lathrop 4-0-0-8, Snyder 0-0-0-0, Donnelly 0-0-0-0, Ernst 0-0-0-0, Seefeldt 0-0-0-0, Totals 19-7-17-47
By Quarters
Cameron County 5 5 3 7—20
Port Allegany 10 11 17 19—47
Three-point FGs: Cameron County (3) — S. Guisto 2, Holjencin; Port Allegany (2) — A. Buchsenschutz, S. Buchsenschutz
JV Score: Port Allegany won
