Webster Schroeder holds off Penfield for first Section V title since 1976
Motivation comes from all sorts of places, but when you remember the exact score of the championship game you lost, it explains everything.
Losing in last year’s Section V Class AA final was the driving force for Mariah Watkins and her Webster Schroeder teammates this season. And on Saturday night, the top-seeded Warriors redeemed themselves with a 58-46 win over No. 2 Penfield at Rush-Henrietta High for their first Section V title since 1976.
🏀C H A M P S 🏀
@SchroederSports girls are your @SecVGBasketball Class AA champs!! pic.twitter.com/dUA6o52EKM— Bob Chavez (@MPN_bchavez) March 5, 2023
“One hundred percent,” said Watkins of the 58-35 loss to Bishop Kearney last March. “That was the worst feeling ever.”
Schroeder built leads of 22-10 and 31-12 in the second quarter and had a 44-28 lead at the end of three. But the Patriots, who lost to Schroeder twice in the regular season, maintained their drive.
They pulled to within 47-35 midway through the fourth and got as close as 52-44 with about a minute to go. But it was too little too late as the Warriors made free throws down the stretch.
“Of course you have to key on the Watkins sisters,” Penfield coach Mark Vogt said. “But Schroeder got a lot of second shots on us too. And you can’t turn the ball over against this team.”
More:Section V girls basketball scores for the 2022-23 season
Key player came off the bench
By her own admission, Watkins didn’t have the best first half of shooting. She had plenty of shots, but Penfield’s collapsing defense limited the production to just five points.
Enter sophomore Addison Morgan. She hit two 3-pointers in the first half and added three more in the second half to make the Patriots respect the perimeter. And that opened the door for Watkins, who scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half.
“She’s been such an unsung hero off the bench for us,” Schroeder coach Codi Mrozek said.
Watkins wasn’t surprised.
“Of course,” she said when asked if she knew Morgan had that in her. “She’ll always knock down those shots.”
Morgan with the 3 for @SchroederSports
Lead is 39-26 midway through 3rd Q pic.twitter.com/nPnZhhUTcA— Bob Chavez (@MPN_bchavez) March 5, 2023
By the numbers
Emily Fordham led Penfield with 15 points and Jackie Funk scored 11.
For Schroeder, Addison Morgan’s 18 led the way, Mariah Watkins scored 15 and Bria Watkins scored 9.
They said it
Penfield coach Mark Vogt, praising the Schroeder defense: “They help each other. You’re not going to get a lot of clean shots against them.”
Schroeder coach Codi Mrozek: “We valued being calm and confident. We knew we couldn’t overlook them. They’re a good team and this is the finals. Everyone wants to win.”
Mariah Watkins: “This feels awesome. You dream of this happening but now that it’s real, it’s amazing.”
Section V girls basketball Class AA all-tournament team
Bella Pucci (Fairport), Klarissa Goode (Bishop Kearney), Bria Watkins (Webster Schroeder), Jackie Funk (Penfield), Addison Morgan (Webster Schroeder), Emily Fordham (Penfield). MVP: Mariah Watkins (Webster Schroeder).
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Webster Schroeder beats Penfield for Section V girls basketball title
