Not quite three minutes into the fourth quarter, the ball rolled loose between Clinton and Dolgeville players.
Neither team had scored yet in the period, so both wanted possession to get on the board. Clinton’s Hanna Morse dove to the CCS gym floor and as the ball squirted out from under her, she grabbed it with both hands, allowing Coach Elaine Hogan to call timeout to keep possession.
While it was the Blue Devils who scored next a minute later, the four-quarter effort of swarming the ball by the Warriors led to their sixth win of the season. Using a 22-point first quarter output, Clinton led the entire game. By the time Dolgeville reached 22 points, the game was midway through the third quarter and when the final whistle signaled end of game Clinton owned a 60-33 win.
The girls did it in front of a packed gym that included several elementary girls who someday will be wearing those varsity uniforms. It was also the team’s annual Shooting for the Cure fund raiser with basket raffles and a 50/50 to help Clinton Elementary School staff member Alisa Capponi with costs toward her cancer treatments. Dolgeville also contributed baskets to help out.
After the Clinton junior varsity won, and the two varsity teams posed for photos, the game began with both teams competitive but respectful to each other. Clinton, whose speed has been an asset all season, kicked the game off in high gear, racing to a 22-8 lead after the first eight minutes.
That came as Gianna Trunfio scored 10 of her 24 points and racked up three steals and four rebounds, while Mariah Seward scored eight points and stole the ball four times. Elizabeth Wratten scored on an underneath layup and Megan Bremer drove in for a basket to set the tone as well.
That overwhelming offense continued…