GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Union Springs 45, Greene 40

UNION SPRINGS - Ella Johnson hit a go-ahead 3 for Union Springs, and Kailey Kalet made three of four free throws down the stretch lifting their club past Greene on Saturday in the Section IV Class C playoffs.

The Trojans (17-5) found themselves in a 12-point hole after one period, but clawed back over the next two quarters to knot the game at 34-34 heading to the fourth.

Greene took its last lead with less than three minutes to play after an Emma Rice 3 giving her club a 40-39 lead.

"Honestly, we played well enough to win," said Greene coach Dave Gorton. "We had five points we thought we scored taken off the board, and they had a 3 that landed on top of the backboard, and rolled in…the effort was great. The first quarter we got pushed around, but the kids didn't panic and didn't back down."

Union Springs (20-1), ranked number five in the most recent New York State poll, were held nearly 20 points under their yearly scoring average.

If not for some late fortune and Greene missed shots that it usually makes, Union Springs may have seen its season come to a close.

"I'm proud of the kids," Gorton said. "Earlier in the year, when we got off to rough start (against Delhi), they steamrolled us. We didn't let that happen this time. It's a real sign of maturity of the kids to learn from something that happened a couple weeks ago."

Payton Yahner led Greene with 13 points, Abby Yahner had nine points and 10 rebounds, and Cassie Butler finished with eight points and nine boards.

Greene (17-5):  Emma Rice 6, Olivia Kennedy 2, Cassie Butler 8, Abby Yahner 9, Payton Yahner 13, Paige Estabrook 2. Totals:  FG-14, FT 8-12-40.

Union Springs:  Solan Sanders 2, Kailey Kalet 15, Danielle Waldron 7, Payton Gilbert 9, Ella Johnson 6, Xavia Spencer 6. Totals:  FG-17, FT 7-12-45

Score by quarters

Greene  5  18   11   6--40

U. Springs 17 12  5 11--45

Three-point goals: Greene 4 (Rice 2, Butler 2). Union Springs 4 (Johnson 2, Gilbert, Kalet).