PORT ALLEGANY — The Port Allegany girls’ basketball team closed out an unbeaten regular season the same way they have done most games in the 2013-14 season — with ease.
Becca Lathrop scored 14 points and Brooke Roys had 13 as 11 different players found the scoring column in the Lady Gators’ 68-23 win over Austin on Thursday.
“Our motto all season long has been one game at a time,” said Port Allegany coach Kristina Francis of her 21-0 squad. “I’m proud of the whole team and the effort they’ve put forth. They’ve been focused all year and keep getting better. We’ve had the success within our own program and we’re continuing to build and grow.”
They certainly have grown over the last two seasons. Thursday’s win was their 30th-straight in the NTL for the back-to-back league champions, with 15 of the 16 during this season’s run coming by double-digits. It’s also the first time the program has gone through the regular season without a loss since 1987.
“It’s tough when you look at the scores and say we aren’t playing any close games,” Francis said. “We really do have a balanced unit. And we played a lot of close games last year. The girls have put the time in and they’re working together and gelling together. It’s very unselfish play.”
Unselfish would be the perfect word to describe their play against Austin (6-15, 5-11).
Port (21-0, 16-0) erupted for 27 first-quarter points, a quarter that saw every starter score except McKenna Johnson. Johnson’s contributions, however, went far beyond the scoring column, as she collected nine rebounds and dished out four assists.
What has made this team so good this season, however, is not just the play of its starters (Lathrop, Roys, Lynae Delacour, Krista Miller and Johnson), but also the strength of its bench.
Somer Buchsenschutz, Shania Jones and Autumn Buchsenschutz came in and immediately made an impact, with Somer drilling an early second-quarter three to stretch the lead to 30-7.
“Somer steps up off the bench and Shania Jones has had a great week making some great passes and getting some great shots,” Francis said. “And Autumn, I have no qualms about putting her in at the point. We have a solid player at each position.”
With the outcome in hand and the entire Port Allegany team contributing in the second half, Francis had the opportunity to give her seniors one final send-off on their home floor.
Lathrop, Miller and Johnson left to a standing ovation with just under two minutes remaining. It was a well-deserved moment for three girls who have been instrumental to the program’s overall success.
“It was important to do that,” Francis said. “I asked them if they wanted to come out individually and they said no. They’re a unit and that’s the way they’ve always worked and that’s part of the reason they’re successful. They don’t see individuals, they see a team.”
With the regular season now in the rear-view mirror, Port turns its focus to the District 9, Class A playoffs.
It has a little different feel than last season, when they advanced to the District 9 final against Clarion and ultimately won a game in the state playoffs.
Last year’s squad took some people by surprise, but the 2013-14 edition certainly won’t, as they enter as the No. 1 seed.
“We have big expectations as we move forward into next week,” Francis said. “We’re going to get back in the gym Saturday and Monday and get refocused on what we need to do to continue to be successful and set new goals for ourselves.”
NOTES: Austin’s Hannah Glover capped a solid senior season with 8 points and 12 rebounds … Port Allegany’s Sam Metzger not only contributed to the win on the court, but sang the National Anthem before the game as well … Roys finished with 9 rebounds and Jones 4 assists.
AUSTIN (23)
Mia Glover 2-0-0-4, Hannah Glover 3-2-3-8, Maddie Daisley 1-0-0-2, Emily Simms 2-0-0-5, Kayla Cousin 0-0-0-0, Kayla Kio 0-1-2-1, Sadie Shupe 1-0-0-2, Kaylee Brooks 0-1-2-1, Totals 9-4-7-23
PORT ALLEGANY (68)
Krista Miller 2-4-6-8, McKenna Johnson 2-0-0-4, Lynae Delacour 3-2-2-9, Brooke Roys 5-3-3-13, Becca Lathrop 6-2-3-14, Somer Buchsenschutz 2-0-0-5, Autumn Buchsenschutz 1-0-1-3, Shania Jones 4-0-0-8, Sam Metzger 0-1-2-1, Kendra Pelchy 0-1-2-1, Mia Snyder 1-0-0-2, Hannah Donnelly 0-0-0-0, Totals 26-13-19-68
By Quarters
Austin 6 5 4 8—23
Port Allegany 27 17 14 10—68
Three-point FGs: Austin — Simms; Port Allegany — S. Buchsenschutz, Delacour, A. Buchsenschutz
JV Score: Port Allegany won
