Saying the Trojans have lived up to the billing as the No. 1 team would be an understatement when you consider their first two results in the quest for back-to-back titles.

Southwestern first dominated its quarterfinal matchup against Fredonia earning a 63-39 result, but the Trojans managed to get even better by the semifinals.

On Tuesday night at Kenmore West High School, Southwestern jumped all over No. 4 Akron right out the gate and stormed to an emphatic 81-33 victory and into the Class B1 championship against No. 2 East Aurora at Buffalo State on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Southwestern showed immediately it was going to be too much for Akron and it all started with the press. The Trojans smothered the Tigers the length of the court to the point where they couldn’t even get shots off and fell behind 11-0.

Southwestern’s Bella Sirianni drives to the basket past an Akron defender during Tuesday’s Section VI Class B1 semifinal basketball game against Akron. P-J photo by Christian Storms

“That’s something we’ve been working on a little bit,” Southwestern head coach Kay Sirianni said about the strong start with the press. “Our last playoff game we didn’t come out as focused and we started a little slow. Tonight the girls were focused, they came out and played hard. They got that early lead which really happens to help us later in the second half.”

There were nine different Trojans to record a steal as the team swiped the ball from Akron 22 times with Reece Beaver collecting five, Braya Beaver grabbing four, and both Madi McIntyre and Bella Sirianni reeling in three.

Even with the No. 2 scorer in Section VI leading the way with 25 points, Southwestern brought a balanced attack that wasn’t just reliant on Reece Beaver as three other Trojans reached double-digit scoring. Bella Sirianni finished with 14 points while scoring 10 in the opening quarter alone, Madi McIntyre also reached 14 points and Braya Beaver scored 13 points while leading in assists with seven.

“That’s huge, especially when team’s can’t defend us as easily when they’re not focused on one player,” Coach Sirianni said about the scoring depth. “I think that helps, because we are a little bit deeper and other teams have to focus on the five girls I have on the court at that time. No matter what game it is, we don’t care who scores as long as someone is scoring for the win.”

Moving deeper into the playoffs as the competition gets stronger, having that scoring depth can really help the Trojans.

However, even in a game where she didn’t have to do as much, Reece Beaver stood out above everyone on the floor in all phases of the game. She scored a game-high 25 points, made five steals and dealt five assists.

“Reece is fast, she’s athletic, she’s a leader,” Coach Sirianni stated. “She knows our offenses, she knows our defenses, she pretty much runs the court. We rely on her even if she’s not scoring, we rely on her for the assists, the rebounds, so she does a little bit of everything. The girls look to her for guidance when we are in trouble.”

Bella Sirianni finished with her 14 points, four assists and three steals; McIntyre had 14 points, three assists, seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals; Braya Beaver added 13 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals; Ellie Pearson dealt four assists, a block and had two steals; Charlotte Beaver added a block and two steals; and Lauren Cotter had five rebounds.

Looking for a second straight sectional title, Southwestern (14-7) will play No. 2 East Aurora (17-5) which beat No. 3 Olmstead 34-25.

“Having experienced players who’ve been here several years in row really helps,” Coach Sirianni said about the Trojans’ success. “We have three experienced seniors who can lead that wave for the rest of the team. They’re your leaders, they’ve been here, they’ve done it, they know how to win.”

AKRON (33)

Jonathan 2 0 6, Leiker 2 0 4, Baltzey 0 0 0, Siska 0 0 0, AGertsung 5 3 14, EGertsung 1 1 3, Fox 0 0 0, Ground 0 1 1, Novak 0 0 0, LaFromboise 0 0 0, Henning 2 1 5. Totals 12 6 33.

SOUTHWESTERN (81)

CBeaver 2 0 4, RBeaver 10 2 25, Cotter 1 1 3, BBeaver 5 2 13, Sirianni 6 0 14, Barone 0 0 0, McIntyre 6 2 14, Pearson 2 0 4, Lewis 1 0 2, Cresanti 0 0 0, Stutzman 1 0 2, Genareo 0 0 0. Totals 34 7 81.

3-point goals–Jonathan 2, Gertsung, RBeaver 3, BBeaver, Sirianni 2.

Akron 5 5 10 13 — 33

Southwestern 27 20 16 18 — 81