SOUTH DAYTON - The two girls who were players of the year from last season battled in the first round of the Pine Valley Basketball Tournament on Thursday night with Frewsburg coming out on top over Ellicottville.
Shawna Raymond of Frewsburg, the Division 2 player of the year, got the upper hand with 25 points, 12 steals and five assists as the Bears downed Ellicottville, 68-53, despite 30 points from Janae Hamilton, the 2011-12 Division 3 player of the year.
The Bears got their full-court press going right away that built a 15-point at one stage in the first half before Ellicottville shaved it down to 32-25 at halftime. Raymond had 15 points, but Hamilton was even better with 20 points by halftime.
Frewsburg had 29 steals overall with Raymond leading the way. The Bears put up a 22-14 third quarter with Reyanne Strong having 10 of her 17 points.
Strong checked out with six steals and four assists while reserve Morgan Knight had six of her team's 23 rebounds to lead that category.
In that quarter alone, Hamilton was limited to a single point when the Bears broke it open.
Also for Frewsburg, Annie Berg contributed 11 points.
Madison Szpaicher chipped in with 10 points in the loss.
Pine Valley and Fredonia play tonight and that winner takes on Frewsburg for the championship at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The consolation game is at 2 p.m.
FREWSBURG (68)
Steele 1 0 2, Raymond 10 3 25, Hair 3 0 6, Cass 1 0 2, Strong 7 1 17, Knight 1 1 3, Berg 5 1 11, Gardner 2 0 4, Johnson 0 0 0. Totals 30 6 68.
ELLICOTTVILLE (53)
Szpaicher 2 6 10, Gorley 2 0 4, J. Hamilton 10 10 30, M. Hamilton 3 0 7, Wilson 0 2 2, Hull 0 0 0, Wendel 0 0 0, Dunkleman 0 0 0, Musall 0 0 0, Pierce 0 0 0. Totals 17 18 53.
3-point goal: Raymond 2, M. Hamilton.
Frewsburg18 14 22 14 - 68
Ellicottville11 14 14 14 - 53
Jayvees: Frewsburg 45, Elliottville 23.