Chiefs are downed by the Chieftains on home court

By Ginna Young

In the first game of the new year, the Cornell Chiefs Basketball program played host to their rivals Jan. 5, from the short distance away, the Lake Holcombe Chieftains. Cornell struggled to put offense on the board in the opening half of the East Lakeland Conference bout, as the Chieftains were up 52-17, by the break.

“The Chieftains’ defensive pressure prevailed early, as their press was too much for the Chiefs to handle and they jumped out to a 26-4 lead, early in the game,” said Lake Holcombe coach Joy Webster.

Because of the lead, Webster was able to clear the bench to give her younger players some minutes. However, the Chiefs found their rhythm in the second half, as well as their offense, outscoring the Chieftains, but Cornell couldn’t overcome the deficit from the first half.

The Chiefs saw the match go to the Chieftains, 78-45.

Freshman Bryce DeJongh led for Cornell, with 13 points, followed by senior Bentley Spangler, with 10, and junior Hunter Anders, who recorded 8. Senior Carter Harycki added 6 points to the mix, followed by junior Torren Parker, with 4, and sophomores Grady Abbott and Carson Stipek, who each chipped in with 2 points.

On Lake Holcombe’s side, they had four players reach double digits, with freshman Emmit Johnson notching a seasonhigh 18 points. Junior Brian Strzok followed that with 16, while senior Taye Yeager and junior Ryley Craker added 13 points each. Junior Chase Burgess and senior Trent Nitek came next, with 9 and 8 points, respectively, sophomore Brody Miller chipped in by making a free throw.

Strzok pulled down 17 rebounds, while Burgess had 11 and Yeager recorded his first double-double, with 10 rebounds. Craker and Yeager also combined for 13 steals.

The Chiefs remain winless on the season, at 0-9 overall and 0-5 in the conference, while the Chieftains sit at 7-4 on the year, and are 4-1 in the league.