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TheWhitehallgirl’s varsity basketball team picked up their first win of the season on Friday evening, defeating the Warrensburg Burghers 30-15.
Whitehall relied on a suffocating defense and some key scoring from a pair of sophomores as they tallied their first victory of the season.
The Railroader defense limited Warrensburg to five points in the first half, including a shut out in the first quarter and sophomores Kelsey Farley and Ashley Davis led the way offensively, scoring 11 and 9 points, respectively.
Isabell Szabo led the way for Warrensburg, scoring four points.
“This is a huge weight off our shoulders,” said head coach Jim Burgey. “The girls have been working so hard. We played more aggressively and any time you limit the other team to zero, five and two points in a quarter, you’re doing well.”
Whitehall’s defense was dominant throughout the game. Besides the scoreless first quarter, the Railroaders limited Warrensburg to single digit scoring in each quarter, including five in the second and two in the third.
Farley insured the team got off to a fast start, scoring six points and ripping down a number of rebounds asWhitehalljumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter.
Warrensburg got on the scoreboard on their first possession of the second quarter but was limited to a single made shot and a free throw the rest of the half.
Davishad a big quarter, scoring five points including a three pointer in the closing moments of the quarter to giveWhitehalla commanding 17-5 lead at the half.
Much like the second quarter, the Burghers opened the second half with an early basket but were held scoreless the rest of the quarter.
Brittney Putorti scored two of her four points with a nifty move under the basket and guard Victoria Christian scored two points on a breakaway lay-up.
Whitehallscored another eight points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of driving lay ups byDavisto seal the victory forWhitehall.
Afterwards, Burgey credited a tough schedule for the teams performance.
“You look at the first three games and you say ‘poor us,’ but in the end it’s been a blessing. It helps you when you come back and play these teams that are closer to your level,” he said.
The Railroaders faced another tough opponent Tuesday as they traveledHartfordin a key Adirondack League contest.
The Tanagers (4-2) took advantage of a strong second quarter to pull out a 40-29 victory.
Hartford outscored Whitehall 12-5 in the quarter and had an eight point advantage at the half that the Railroaders were unable to overcome.
Other than the second quarter, the teams played a close game.
Hartford led 7-6 after a defensive first quarter and the competitive play continued after the half with both teams scoring eight points in the third quarter. Whitehall tied to mount a combat in the second quarter, scoring 10 points, but Hartford exploded for their largest point total of the game, scoring 13 points, as each team’s defense showed some fatigue.
Brittany Brayman scored a game high 19 points for Hartford and Kelsey Farley led the way for Whitehall with 12 points.
Victoria Christian added five points for Whitehall and Payton Bessette and Ariel Ayers each scored four points.
Whitehall (1-4) doesn’t play again until Jan. 3 at Salem.
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