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Clymer breezes past Cassadaga Valley 50-17

OBSERVER Photo by Scott Reagle Cassadaga Valley’s Emiley Anderson sets up the offense against Clymer during nonleague girls basketball Monday evening in Clymer.

CLYMER — During an abbreviated season last winter, Clymer looked like a team that might be a year away from causing real problems on the local scene.

Monday night, the Pirates may have arrived.

Senior Mikala Einink had 15 points and 10 steals while sophomore Alexys Neckers added 15 points and four steals as Clymer won its nonleague opener 50-17 over Cassadaga Valley.

“I really liked the effort. The effort was there and that’s really what we were looking for,” said first-year Clymer head coach Dave Bodamer. “I told the girls, maybe I told them too much, not to worry too much about their shooting. … The effort and the rebounding I was very excited about.”

Senior Karlen Honey, who finished with 8 points and 15 rebounds, scored the first six points of the game for the Pirates, who led 16-2 after the opening eight minutes.

“We’ve been working with her on some of her post moves. … Tonight she had a turnover or two, but she was trying,” Bodamer said of Honey. “I could see improvement right off the bat. … That gets me excited to get some more points in the paint.”

Einink added six points during the second quarter as Clymer took a 24-11 halftime advantage.

“Being able to rotate guards and having multiple ball handlers is always a big thing,” Bodamer said of Einink and junior Aurora Ordines.

Pirates junior Abigail White began to get involved during the third quarter with six points as Clymer’s lead grew to 25 and the Pirates held the Cougars scoreless in the period.

“Abby, I especially like getting her out in space and getting her running … She’s doing a lot, too, on her low post,” Bodamer said. ” … If we can clean up some things, she’s going to be a big contributor.”

Neckers added seven points during the fourth quarter as Clymer completed its season-opening victory.

“She got a shot to fall there late and give her a little bit of confidence,” Bodamer said of Neckers. “Tonight there were some technical issues that are easily fixable, especially with somebody who works as hard as she does.”

White chipped in seven rebounds and three steals while junior Ordines had five rebounds, four steals and three assists for the Pirates (1-0, 0-0 CCAA Division 2 West).

Freshman Emiley Anderson led Cassadaga Valley (0-1, 0-0 CCAA Central Division) with 15 points on five 3-pointers while fellow freshman Aaliyah Hopkins had 12 rebounds and five blocks.

“She works really hard at her craft,” first-year Cassadaga Valley head coach Luke Gullo said of Anderson.

Clymer went 23 for 77 (29.8%) from the floor, including 1 for 17 (5.8%) from 3-point range. The Pirates missed their first 13 3-point attempts before Neckers hit their only one of the game midway through the fourth quarter.

The Cougars were 6 for 46 (13%) from the field, including 5 for 22 (22.7%) from 3-point range.

“I thought our kids fought hard until the end,” Gullo said.

Cassadaga Valley turned the ball over 25 times while Clymer turned it over 12 times. The Pirates scored 24 points off turnovers.

Clymer’s depth and opening-night success will be tested Thursday when its hosts Falconer.

“We’ll get creative,” Bodamer said, “and see what we can do.”

NOTES: Junior Natalie Johnson had nine rebounds for Clymer, which carries just seven players on its roster. The Pirates were down to six girls after junior Makenna Woods suffered an injury during the first half. … Cassadaga Valley will continue its nonleague schedule Wednesday at Pine Valley.

CASSADAGA VALLEY (17)

Jasinski 0 0 0, McChesney 0 0 0, Hattaway 0 0 0, Johnson 0 0 0, EAnderson 5 0 15, Hopkins 1 0 2, Barrett 0 0 0, HAnderson 0 0 0, Horton 0 0 0, Alaimo 0 0 0. Totals 6 0 17.

CLYMER (50)

Ordines 1 0 2, Einink 7 1 15, White 4 0 8, Woods 0 0 0, Neckers 6 2 15, Johnson 1 0 2, Honey 4 0 8. Totals 23 3 50.

3-point goals–EAnderson 5, Neckers.

Cassadaga Valley 2 9 0 6 — 17

Clymer 16 8 12 14 — 50

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