Cornell starts off their conference play strong

By Ginna Young

The Cornell girls basketball program picked up a pair of conference wins over a long week of games, but dropped a non-conference match.

Dec. 6 vs. Birchwood conference (W 61-33)

First up for Cornell, they traveled to Birchwood, where the Bobcats proved no match for the Chiefs. Cornell reeled in a 61-33 victory, to give the Chiefs their first conference win of the season.

Senior Kelsea Popp led the team with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 11 steals, followed by sophomore Alyssa Bowe, who recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals.

Junior Grace Harycki also notched 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Lauren Samardzich followed that up with 6 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal. Sophomore Bralee Schroeder came next, with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, with junior Teryn Close adding 2 points, 2 rebounds and a steal.

Makya Hetherington, junior, ended with 7 rebounds and 2 steals, while junior Marcella Boehm chipped in with a rebound.

Dec. 8 vs. Thorp non-conference (L 51-48)

Two nights later, Cornell hosted Thorp, as the Cardinals came to call.

“It was a well-fought game against Thorp, but we came up just short,” said coach Courtney Yanko.

Despite their best efforts, Thorp just edged Cornell out, taking with them a 51-48 victory.

Popp again led for the Chiefs, with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 9 steals and a block, while Harycki added 10 pts, 2 rebounds and a steal. Samardzich ended with 6 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks, with Schroeder coming up with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist.

Hetherington also had 6 points and had 10 rebounds, followed by Bowe, who ended with 3 points and 3 rebounds. Boehm brought down 5 rebounds, as well as an assist, with Close contributing a rebound and 3 steals.

Dec. 9 vs. Bruce conference (W 68-29)

With no time to rest, Cornell then acted as host to Bruce. This game was a little more one-sided, as the Chiefs closed out the week with a 68-29 win over the Raiders.

Popp had another huge night, with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and an assist, with Harycki next, recording 10 points, a rebound and a steal. Samardzich finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 9 blocks, while Hetherington came away with 8 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and 2 assists.

Schroeder ended with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 4 steals, while Bowe had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 4 steals, followed by Close, with 2 points, a rebound and 3 steals. Boehm added 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, with freshman Addyson DeJongh chipping in with a rebound.

“The girls played great this week,” said Yanko. “I can really see how far we are progressing as a team.”