The Lady Garnets, who advanced to the Section semifinals and finished first in their league last season, are out to prove that despite graduating two stars they can make another run at the County Center.
By Melanie Cane
The Lady Garnets, who advanced to the Section semifinals and finished first in their league last season, are out to prove that despite graduating two stars they can make another run at the County Center.
Rye is once again led by head coach Mary Henwood, but to the mix the Garnets have added new assistant coach Cristina Gaspar, who brings a wealth of knowledge with her. She played college ball and taught in New York City before coming to Rye to replace Cari Caulway. Although the team lacks the height of last year’s squad, it has retained its heart and determination, as witnessed in a 44-27 victory over Valhalla December 7 and a hard-fought 43-40 loss to White Plains December 10 in the Queens of the Court Tournament.
The Lady G’s pressed for four quarters and did a solid job on the boards against White Plains, with the starters – Rachel Egan, Katie Killip, Grace Leishman, Victoria Pacos, and Alanna Morque – proving their ability. Egan, the point guard, handled the ball well under pressure while defending the Tigers’ top two players. It was a tough defensive assignment in a very physical game. Morque, in her first varsity start, had eight of Rye’s ten points in the first quarter, which ended with the Garnets trailing two.
The teams went into the half tied at 19, but White Plains took off in the third, outscoring Rye 14-6 with sharp 3-point shooting. White Plans finished with six buckets from downtown, while Rye only had Morque’s fourth-quarter 3-pointer, which cut the lead to two. The Garnets outscored White Plains 15-10 in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough.
Grace Leishman was Rye’s top scorer with 13 points. Morque chipped in 11, and Katie Killip played a solid game, hitting a big shot in crunch time.
“This game demonstrated our team’s true potential,” said Killip. “We need to shoot more and continue to work hard on defense.”
Rye is comprised of seven returning players and seven newcomers, but unfortunately both junior Catharine Livingston and senior captain Courtney Cypher are injured. Livingston, who has been on the team since her freshman year, is out for the season with an ACL tear. Cypher sprained her ankle, and her return date is unknown.
Killip, Pacos, and Leishman are also senior captains, and have been part of the varsity squad since they were in ninth grade.
Up next for the Garnets is the Rye Rotary Tournament December 16 and 17 at home.
