Girls’ Basketball

S-E Tournament Final

Sherburne-Earlville 65, Unadilla Valley 61

SHERBURNE – The oft-postponed Sherburne-Earlville Tournament was completed Monday night, and the month-long delay was worth the wait.

The unbeaten Marauders held off the surging Storm to capture their third straight home tourney title. Savannah Irwin hit two free throws and Mattie Dowdall added a free throw in the final minute to wrap up the win.

“It was good to see us make free throws under pressure, and we were able to make enough big plays at the end,” said Sherburne-Earlville coach Karen Mulligan.

The Marauders seemed to gain control early in the fourth when Mikayla Solloway drove for a pair of layups, Bridgette McDaniel completed a layup off a Solloway feed, and Irwin set up a Dowdall layup to make it 58-48.

Over the last three minutes, UV’s Taylor Davis hit a jumper and two threes, while Breanne Christian canned an open 15-footer. Davis’ last three had her team within three points with 12 seconds left, the closest the Storm would come.

“That is the best we have played in a long time,” said UV coach Brandi Whitbeck.

Lilly Berg scored 18 points to lead S-E, and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Dowdall netted 15, McDaniel had a career-best 14 points, and Irwin had 10 points and nine assists.