Breaking News
Local Sports

Clymer Does Enough To Get Past Panama

By Matt Spielman 4 min read

CLYMER -- After its first trip through the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West schedule, Clymer stands alone atop the league standings.

The Pirates moved to 4-1 on Friday evening with a hard-fought 46-37 win over Panama.

Alexys Neckers led Clymer with 15 points to go along with four rebounds while Abby White added 13 points and three steals.

"I was not pleased with how we lost at Sherman," Clymer head coach Dave Bodamer said of the Pirates' 45-36 defeat last Friday. "That's a very tough place to get a 'W'. … I didn't think we played a very good four quarters, our effort especially."

The Pirates did just enough to maintain a lead most of last night and held on in the second half by going 9 of 12 from the free-throw line.

"We struggled offensively. I want to get to the line," Bodamer said. "We had struggled converting our free throws. … We have to make points however we can."

Starting center Karlen Honey was in foul trouble for the entire game. She picked up her second foul with 3:18 left in the first quarter and sat on the bench for the remainder of the first half. She then started the second half, only to pick up her third foul 23 seconds into the third quarter and her fourth just over a minute later.

Clymer only carries seven girls on its roster as it is, so Makenna Woods and Natalie Johnson were asked to play big minutes off the bench.

They answered the call, combining for seven of the Pirates' 29 rebounds.

"Makenna went in there and played really physical defense," Bodamer said. "Natalie Johnson came in and had to play undersized. … She's a strong girl and handled that really well. The bench was crucial."

While Clymer was doing just enough offensively, the Panthers were not.

Whatever metaphor you could choose for a cold-shooting night, it described Panama.

All told, head coach Dennis Hinsdale's team shot 12 of 52 (23.1%) from the field, including 1 of 12 from 3-point range.

"We're shy on intensity right now and I'm not sure why. We had a run of six or seven games where defensively we were just killing it," Hinsdale said. "Our defense was generating our offense. Right now, we've lost it and I'm not sure where to look for it."

The Panthers forced the Pirates in to 24 turnovers, but were only able to score 8 points off of Clymer's mishaps.

The Pirates led by 11 heading into the fourth quarter and pushed their advantage to 13 on a Neckers bucket early in the period, but Mandy Brink answered with Panama's only 3-pointer of the game to make it 36-26. Brink then found Kylie Morgan open for a basket, Morgan made a free throw and Jo Bailey scored inside to make it a five-point game with 5:07 remaining.

"We were trying to get the ball down to the low post late in the third and at the start of the fourth quarter," Hinsdale said.

Neckers made three free throws to eventually push Clymer's lead to six and Mikala Einink drilled a 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining that made it a nine-point game and essentially locked up the win.

"Offense was really tough to come by. I feel really happy getting a win out of here," Bodamer said. "We preach in this league you have to win at home. This as a very big win that way. I have a lot of respect for (Panama) and the other teams in this league."

The Pirates improved to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in the league, a half-game ahead of Sherman atop the division. Panama, meanwhile, suffered its second league loss against three wins.

"The good thing it that we have another shot at them and it will be at our house," Hinsdale said. "We have a lot of work to do between now and then."

NOTES: Clymer finished 15 of 39 (38.5%) from the field, including 4 of 11 (36.4%) from 3-point range. … Honey grabbed eight rebounds while Einink had six rebounds and three steals for the Pirates. … Brink led Panama with 15 points, 10 steals and four assists while Maddie Lisciandro had seven rebounds and six steals. … Panama won the jayvee game 35-16. Kasey Markham led the Panthers with 17 points and Ava Nyweide led the Pirates with 9.

PANAMA (37)

Bailey 3 0 6, Brink 5 4 15, Schauman 0 0 0, Range 1 0 2, Greene 0 0 0, Morgan 2 5 9, Horton 0 1 1, Harvey 0 0 0, Lisciandro 1 2 4, Odell 0 0 0. Totals 12 12 37.

CLYMER (46)

Ordines 1 0 3, Einink 2 2 7, White 5 3 13, Woods 0 0 0, Neckers 3 7 15, Johnson 1 0 2, Honey 3 0 6. Totals 15 12 46.

3-point goals--Brink.

Panama 8 8 7 14 -- 37

Clymer 13 10 11 12 -- 46

Jayvees: Panama won 35-16.

Starting at /week.