Story by Michael Lindsay (Photos by Sarah Dunlap/Independent Herald)
York Institute traveled across the Big South Fork Thursday evening for non-district basketball action at Oneida, where the teams split the contests.
On the girls side, the Dragonettes picked up a 69-48 victory while the York boys were defeated, 69-59.
GIRLS
Four double-digit scorers led the Dragonettes to a 21-point victory as Reese Beaty and Ellen Leffew each scored 14, followed by Gabby Beaty and Raylee Werner with 12. Leffew tacked on 9 rebounds while Reese Beaty had 4 assists.
York took control early as they led 18-10 after one period. The Dragonettes kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter to lead 37-21 at halftime. The Dragonettes hit seven first-half three-pointers (10 total) during Thursday’s victory.
York’s advantage only grew throughout the second half as they led 56-37 after the third quarter before winning 69-48.
Raylie Bush and Kelsey Pike led Oneida with 14 points each.
York Institute improves to 6-2 overall. The Dragonettes waste no time getting back on the court as they host Clay County (6-2) Friday in Jamestown.
York Institute (69): Reese Beaty 14, Ellen Leffew 14, Gabby Beaty 12, Raylee Werner 12, Emy Crabtree 9, Emma Pile 4, Cali Franklin 2, Emma Cooper 2
BOYS
In the boys game, it was Oneida who picked up a double-digit victory as they defeated York Institute, 69-59.
York’s Heath Wattenbarger posted a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds off the bench in the loss.
The Dragons (2-6) had four players in double figures: Bryson Bilbrey and Blaine York with 13, Wattenbarger with 12 and Zach Byrd with 10. Oneida was led by 22 points and 6 assists from Mason Keeton. Bilbrey tacked on 7 rebounds for YAI.
Thursday’s neck-and-neck game saw 13 lead changes and 4 ties before Oneida pulled away late. After holding a 12-10 lead to end the first quarter, Oneida pushed their advantage to 8 points (18-10) early in the second period. York responded with a 14-2 run to take a 24-20 lead with 3:23 until halftime. Oneida weathered the York run to retake a 27-26 advantage at the break.
In the third quarter, York took a 4-point lead (33-29) via a Blaine York three-pointer midway through the period, but again it was Oneida finishing the quarter with a one-point advantage as they led 43-42.
York Institute led 47-46 with 4:55 to go before Oneida retook the lead at 52-51 with 3:34 remaining.
From that point, Oneida caught fire and closed out the game on a 17-8 run to defeat York, 69-59.
York Institute falls to 2-6 overall and takes the court again Friday night in Jamestown as they host Clay County (5-1).
York Institute (59): Bryson Bilbrey 13, Blaine York 13, Heath Wattenbarger 12, Zach Byrd 10, Jackson Conatser 7, Myles Leffew 2, Will Beaty 2
