Springville-Griffith Institute junior varsity girls basketball opens season with a win

SPRINGVILLE — The Springville-Griffith Institute junior varsity girls basketball team opened its season by defeating Pioneer Central School by a score of 37 – 24 on Dec. 7.

The Lady Griffs used full court defense, which led to many fast break opportunities, on the offensive side of the ball. S-GI outscored Pioneer 10 – 2, in the second quarter, and led 17 – 7 at halftime.

Coach Robert Gainey said he thought his team will be defensively tough, all season long. “We plan on playing full-court man, throughout the season, against all opponents. We feel that our athleticism and quickness are both strengths, so it’s something we look to impose on teams, during the season.”

S-GI held off Pioneer, in the second half, to earn the victory and improve to 1 – 0, on the season. Gainey said he believed there will be more successes to come. “We have a chance to be competitive, every night, when we are playing with maximum effort, for 32 minutes.”
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Carly Lamos led the team in scoring, with 11 points, and Gainey said she brings a “lot of intangibles” to the team. “Carly does a terrific job of getting in excellent position to catch the ball, on the block. She consistently wins the leverage battle and gives her teammates a target, as to where she wants the pass,” Gainey noted. “Her aggressive play is a huge advantage we have on other teams.”

Julia Krzemien was second on the team in scoring, with 8 points, and led the Lady Griffs’ attack, all night long, from the point guard position.

Despite Krzemien’s being an eighth grader, Gainey said he likes the composure that she plays with.

“Julia has a calmness about her, on the court, that gives her an edge, when she is the lead guard,” Gainey explained. “She rarely panics and [she] does a terrific job of protecting the ball, while keeping her head up, to look for open teammates.”

Jessica Weide scored 7 points, while Brittany Luther chipped in with 5 points.

The Lady Griffs will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 14, when they will host Cheektowaga Central School at 5 p.m.