The Camden girls volleyball team made the transition from Class B to A this season.
While the move has had a bit of a learning curve, the Blue Devils have adjusted well to a fresh set of regular-season opponents.
That became apparent when third-seeded Camden beat sixth-seeded Whitesboro, 3-2, on Thursday in the Class A sectional quarterfinals.
“It was a very good game. It’s the best we’ve played in a while,” Camden coach Katherine Migliori said.
Migliori said it’s been tough for the Blue Devils to adjust, but the team has been “able to hang” with Class A squads.
“It depends on the game and who shows up to play,” Migliori said.
Whitesboro took the first set at 25-22, but Camden grabbed the second set (26-24) to knot the match at 1-1. Whitesboro went up 2-1 following a win in the third set (25-20). The Blue Devils, however, snatched the fourth (25-23) and final (16-14) sets.
“We got behind twice, but the team showed that we can come from behind successfully,” Migliori said.
Migliori knew Camden was going to have a close match against Whitesboro.
“(Whitesboro) wasn’t going to roll over and die,” Migliori said. “We were nervous after that first set, but ultimately showed (Whitesboro) that they wanted to contend.”
Hailey Gladle paced the Blue Devils with 20 kills, four blocks, six digs and an ace. Brooke Musch provided 15 kills, 10 blocks, 11 digs and two aces. Julia Holmes chipped in 46 assists and two aces, while Leah Runion added 20 digs. Olivia Hooker and Braelin Page combined for 17 kills, 13 digs and six aces.
“Everybody played a well-rounded game and helped each other out,” Migliori said.
Whitesboro finished its season at 9-9.
Camden (16-4) moves on to the Class A semifinals on Tuesday. The Blue Devils will take on either second-seeded Rome Free Academy or seventh-seeded Central Valley Academy.
“I’m excited,” Migliori said. “We’re going to come in ready to play, and I’m hoping we put up a good fight.”
Class B
No. 9 Oneida 3, No. 1 Canastota 2
The Express won in five sets to stun the top seed in the quarterfinals.
Oneida was victorious in the first (25-15) and third (25-12) sets, and Canastota took the second (25-17) and fourth (25-23) sets for a 2-2 match tie. The Express then came away with a win in the fifth set (15-8).
Saige Meehan tallied 15 kills, 11 digs and two aces for Oneida. Ella McKay chipped in 31 assists, while Natalia Chevez provided nine kills and two blocks. Nicole Chevez added six aces and Nicole Armstrong went up for three blocks.
For Canastota, Mya Rizzo tallied 15 kills and Teagan Hopkins added 37 assists. Mackenzi Stevens contributed seven kills, six digs and three aces. Chloe Curtis also had seven kills.
Canastota wrapped up its 2023-24 season at 17-3.
Oneida (10-11) will now head into the Class B semifinal round on Tuesday. The Express will take on either fourth-seeded Clinton or fifth-seeded Lowville.
Class C
No. 3 Tully 3, No. 11 Westmoreland 0
The Black Knights completed a sweep of the Bulldogs in the quarterfinal round.
Tully won by scores of 25-9, 25-8 and 25-10.
Samantha Garback tallied 10 kills, four blocks and two aces for the Black Knights. Anna Lund chipped in six kills, three blocks, six digs, 19 assists and two aces. Madelyn Lund added 16 digs and three aces, while Rowan Usherwood provided six kills and 10 digs.
The Bulldogs capped their season with a 7-14 record.
Tully (17-2) moves on to Tuesday’s semifinals. The Black Knights will face the winner of second-seeded Beaver River and seventh-seeded Little Falls.
Girls basketball
Utica Notre Dame 41, Central Valley Academy 34
Ella Trinkaus recorded a double-double (24 points, 10 boards) and had a steal and four blocks for the Jugglers. Trinkaus also made eight free throws.
CVA led 26-25 after three quarters, but UND pulled away with an eight-point advantage in the fourth.
Also for the Jugglers, Erin Trinkaus finished with seven points, two steals and a block. Maggie Trinkaus and Amanie Jadwick grabbed a combined 15 rebounds and had four total steals.
Avery Rich paced the Thunder with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. Isabella Terzioski provided six points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
The Jugglers (16-2) host Oneida at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Thunder (12-6) face Camden on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
LaFayette 47, Tully 34
The Lancers won their third game in the last four contests.
LaFayette led 28-11 at the break and kept a balanced effort in the second half.
Shayla Benedict scored nine of her 13 points off threes for the Lancers. Ellie McElhannon added 11 points, while Madison Simmons and Chylure Bucktooth had seven points apiece.
For the Black Knights, Rachel Daddona tallied 15 points and Samantha Morgan had eight.
The Lancers (9-10) host Cazenovia on Monday at 6:45 p.m. The Black Knights (13-5) host Onondaga at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
West Canada Valley 66, Utica Academy of Science 33
Analyce Grabowski racked up 29 points and aided West Canada Valley in continuing its undefeated season.
WCV had a commanding 53-25 lead after three quarters.
Hanna Burdick chipped in eight points for WCV.
Surayyah Hakim-Monetiero scored 17 points and Zaria Spratt had 10 for the Atoms.
WCV, now 18-0 on the season, goes up against Adirondack at 7 p.m. Monday. UAS finished its regular season at 4-15.
Boys basketball
Westhill 57, Bishop Ludden 53
Eli Prince’s 18 points aided Westhill’s efforts against the Gaelic Knights.
Westhill held onto a 27-21 advantage at the break.
Kam Langdon scored 14 points and Charlie DeMore added 11 for Westhill.
Liam Sheard finished with 18 points and seven rebounds for the Gaelic Knights. Jahzar Greene chipped in 14 points, four assists and a steal. Michael Masterpole added eight points, five rebounds and two steals.
Westhill (17-2) takes on Christian Brothers Academy at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Bishop Ludden (13-5) hosts Syracuse Academy of Science on Friday at 7 p.m.
Watertown 63, Lowville 55
Seth Charlton scorched the nets for 29 points, as the Cyclones captured the Frontier League A-B Division championship crown.
Watertown was up 37-35 after three quarters. The Cyclones then used a six-point advantage in the fourth to run past Lowville.
Jack Adams tallied 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Cyclones. Kyle Daly provided 11 points and three steals, while John Flowers added five points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block.
For Lowville, Brian Thomas scored 15 of his 17 points from beyond the arc. Logan Watson had nine of his 11 points off 3-pointers, while Isaiah Spence contributed nine points.
Watertown (14-5) and Lowville (10-9) will now prepare for sectionals.
Henninger 77, Central Square 51
Milen Williams racked up 23 points for the Black Knights. Williams hit a trio of 3-pointers and knocked down six free throws.
Henninger led 58-34 after three quarters.
Nymeer Dozier scored 21 points and Micah-Jarrell Stewart chipped in 20 for the Black Knights.
For the Redhawks, Jaydon Conway had nine points and Kyle Brown added eight.
Henninger (2-16) hosts Cicero-North Syracuse at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Central Square (1-18) takes on Phoenix at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Cincinnatus 52, McGraw 48
Canden Stafford tallied 21 points to help the Lions capture the Central Counties League title over the Eagles.
Cincinnatus maintained a 26-17 lead at the break. McGraw went on a 12-4 run in the third to cut it to 30-29, but the Lions used a 22-19 fourth to break away.
Jack Stafford scored 13 points and Koda Temple chipped in 12 for the Lions. The duo combined to hit eight 3-pointers.
For the Eagles, Jaydon Bassett had 13 points and Blair Mulcahy added 12. Caleb Epp and Dylan Truman both scored 10 points.
Cincinnatus (9-9) faces Poland at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. McGraw (10-6) hosts Section IV’s Groton on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
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