Sherman upends Panama for first time since 2014-15 season
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SHERMAN -- It's been seven years since Sherman beat Panama in girls basketball.
No matter the circumstances, Monday night's win was special.
Mackenzie Gratto had 20 points, 18 rebounds and six steals as the Wildcats beat the Panthers, 47-22, in Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West action.
"There is certainly a new fire in their eyes and a sense of urgency," Sherman coach Emily Eckwahl said of her team's outlook during a season shortened by COVID-19. "Mackenzie has honestly had that since she was in seventh grade. … They are playing with a new fire, for sure."
Panama was without star sophomore Mandy Brink who injured her knee in Saturday's 54-27 loss to Southwestern, as well as senior forward Izzi Bailey. Brink is the primary ball handler for coach Dennis Hinsdale's team and was also averaging 19.4 points per game in eight games this season.
"The girls prepared really, really well last week," Eckwahl said. "I knew mentally they were going to show up no matter who was on the court."
For Sherman, the victory snapped a 14-game losing streak to Panama. The last time the Wildcats won in the rivalry series was a 47-41 outcome Dec. 16, 2014.
"I know they were a little disappointed not to get to take them on at full strength," Eckwahl said. "All things considered, (the win) feels good."
The Panthers' last league setback was on Feb. 10, 2017 when they lost, 47-40, at Frewsburg. They beat Sherman, 37-34, just over two weeks ago.
"We shot zero percent from 3s that night and we were 38 percent from the field," Eckwahl said of that game. "We couldn't have shot much worse, so I was optimistic about the three-point deficit for sure."
Panama did not practice Sunday after Brink's injury the day before and her absence was evident early. Sherman forced turnovers on the Panthers' first eight possessions, which led to a 12-0 lead.
"With this team, they are hungry for the ball all the time," Eckwahl said. "Really, to get them going we need to go out and put the pressure on them. That really gets our offense going."
Panama did not get on the board until Lilly Odell hit a 3-pointer with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.
When the Wildcats were unable to get in their pressure, the Panthers hung with them throughout the first half as Sherman was only able to extend its 14-point first-quarter lead to 15 heading into halftime.
But after the break, Mackenzie Gratto and her sister, Paige, combined to score all 11 third-quarter points for the Wildcats as they extended the lead to 41-18 heading into the final eight minutes.
When the final buzzer sounded, it improved Sherman to 6-2 overall, including 6-1 in the league. Eckwahl's team and Panama are now tied for first place in the league with three games remaining.
If Brink us unable to return, the Wildcats' biggest competition for their first league title since 2010-11 may come in the form of the Frewsburg Bears (5-2, 5-2), who they are scheduled to play in the last game of the season March 18.
Sherman is also in the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the Section VI Class D playoffs. The Wildcats have not won a sectional championship since 2012-13.
"They are certainly happy to be playing the games," Eckwahl said. "When a league title and a section title is all there is to play for, I think it means a whole lot more. These girls would certainly be happy with either."
NOTES: Paige Gratto had 14 points while Amaya Lewczyk had eight rebounds and four steals for Sherman. … Odell led Panama with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, while Maddie Lisciandro had seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jo Bailey grabbed five rebounds. … Steph Hovey scored 13 points and Peyton Range had 11 as Panama won the JV game, 37-26. Camdin Trask led the Panthers with 10 points.
PANAMA (22)
Bailey 2 0 4, Schauman 1 0 2, Harvey 0 0 0, Morgan 0 0 0, Lisciandro 0 0 0, Odell 5 2 16. Totals 8 2 22.
SHERMAN (47)
Bates 0 0 0, JFisher 2 0 4, Lindsey 0 0 0, Henning 0 0 0, PGratto 4 4 14, Lewczyk 1 0 2, MGratto 8 4 20, Swan 0 0 0, Polach 0 0 0, HFisher 3 0 7, Cruz 0 0 0. Totals 18 8 47.
3-point goals--Odell 4, PGratto 2, HFisher.
Panama 5 10 3 4 -- 22
Sherman 19 11 11 6 -- 47
Jayvees: Panama won, 37-26.