GIRLS BASKETBALL: JEFFERSON OVER WALLKILL VALLEY

 By: Emily Poulas

                                                    Photo taken by Mr. Demko

The Jefferson Falcons triumphed over Covid-19 protocols to storm past the Wallkill Valley Rangers in a home opener 51-22 win on Friday in Oak Ridge.

With Covid cases surging, the virus has not gone away in high school sports. It knocked out State Tournaments last year and is causing more quarantines this year. The Falcons had to rule out 2 senior starters and 1 other due to Covid-19 rules. However, the team did not fall to the circumstances. They showed their depth in the 29 point win.

“We are all we need,” Coach James Macdermid says. 

Sophomore Emily Poulas led the scoring with five threes and 20 points in the win. Junior Amanda Nwankwo returned to the court after a season ending injury freshman year and posted 11 points. Senior veterans Ally Legora and Dom Hartman combined for 12 and Maddy Manco, Grace Weihmiller, and Cassie Ball all scored their first varsity points. Bryn Fitzgerald showed her versatility and added high pressure on the defensive end. 

“Some teams may have great people, but they don’t have the communication we have…we have relationships,” Nwankwo says. 

For Wallkill, Isabella Cuevas led with 8 points, Jackie Schels with 6 rebounds, and Erin Anderson with 7 blocks.

The Falcons executed on defense for 32 minutes once again. They held Wallkill to under double digit points in every quarter. The team had 23 deflections and 21 steals.

Jefferson and Wallkill faced off twice last year, the Falcons taking the win both games. They outscored the Rangers by at least 20 both times. Wallkill Valley and Jefferson are in the same conference and will be competing for the same title. The Falcons will face Montville next Wednesday who previously dropped 73 in a victory against Pope John. Wallkill will face High Point who is also coming off a loss in their next game.