Hilton has a dynamic duo: 64 Section V girls basketball players on midseason AGR watchlist

Hilton — Turning defense into offense has always been among Ella Clark's staples.

That was evident last Friday, when Clark stepped in front of a Fairport pass and took it the other way for a breakaway layup. A poetic way to reach 1,000 career points.

"Open floor. That's been Ella's M.O. for a long time," Hilton girls basketball coach David Heise said.

With that basket Clark became the second Cadets player this year to reach the points milestone, joining teammate Mallory Heise.

The Hilton duo has much more in mind for this season than individual accolades, though. The Cadets enter the week with a 9-3 record and as of Jan. 22 ranked seventh in New York state in Class AA.

The team's three losses: A two-point defeat to Class AAA Liverpool (a state-ranked team from Section III), eight-point loss to perennial power Penfield and a seven-point setback to state-ranked Canandaigua.

Mixed in are impressive wins against state-ranked teams like Webster Schroeder, Victor and aforementioned Canandaigua.

That's with the team's two leaders, the junior Heise and the senior Clark, setting the tone.

"They're two of our better athletes so I usually have to separate them (in practice), put one on one team and the other on the other team," David Heise said. "It usually ends with a little spat or a scuffle, which we're really comfortable with. When other players see their intensity, they jump in and follow suit.

"They're good friends who are willing to challenge each other, and you see the product on game nights."

While the pair regular posts numbers on the offensive end — Heise is averaging over 18 points per game, while Clark sits around 17 points — it's their defense that sets them apart.

Heise, despite playing point guard, is comfortable guarding larger players around the rim on the defensive end. Clark, evidenced by her 1,000-point basket, creates plenty of offense through turnovers.

"I don't think people realize how disruptive they are on the defensive end," David Heise said. "They switch defensively without people realizing it. They cover bigger players. They're also quick and can guard guards."

If Hilton is to break through in Class AA, it'll be with its two stalwarts leading the way. But the Cadets' coach pointed out that trust in the supporting cast has gone a long way.

He referenced the team's victory over defending state champion Webster Schroeder on Jan. 12. In that game, Hilton trailed by 17 points and Heise was pulled in the second quarter after picking up her third foul.

In her absence, the Cadets pulled within 10 at halftime before completing the comeback in the second half.

"There's five girls on the court at all times who can score, which has made life a lot easier on Mal and Ella," David Heise said. "Obviously they're drawing the top two defenders night-in and night-out. We beat Schroeder and all five of our starters scored in the second half while four scored in the fourth quarter.

"That probably wouldn't have been something you'd see in the last few years. They trust the fourth, fifth and sixth option's contribution."

Aynsley Belcher a steady force for contending Dansville team

Aynsley Belcher understands her role for the Dansville girls basketball team.

When the final buzzer sounds, her first concern isn't points scored.

"I think what I appreciate most about her is that usually after games she asks how many rebounds she had before she asks how many points," Mustangs coach Arin Beldin said, following a win over Cal-Mum on Jan. 17. "That's something she takes a lot of pride in."

While Belcher had a moderate night on the offensive end, her defensive efforts helped Dansville hold control for four quarters against a Livingston County rival that's currently state-ranked in Class C.

Belcher finished with 12 rebounds, matching her season average.

She's also pouring in 14 points per game, and Beldin believes there's more to offer in that respect.

"We've been working on playing through contact and being physical, and being more consistent finishing shots," Beldin said. "She's always a presence. Even when she's not scoring, she's getting attention which opens up lanes for our guards."

Section V girls basketball's midseason All-Greater Rochester watchlist

(Players nominated by Section V coaches)

Natalie Adams, Wellsville (13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds per game)

Ava Amorese, Caledonia-Mumford (15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals per game)

Macy Bacon, Canandaigua (14 points, 7 rebounds per game)

Lily Baughman, Bloomfield

Aynsley Belcher, Dansville (14 points, 12 rebounds per game)

Jayla Bell, Lyons (27 points per game)

Libby Benner, Keshequa

Peyton Bentley, Hornell

Madi Boyce, Alexander (15 points, 7 rebounds per game)

Addison Bree, Waterloo

Jada Brown, Red Creek (11 points per game)

Gabriella Brown-Sturdivant, East

Kate Campbell, Williamson/Marion

Kyleigh Chapman, Canandaigua (17 points, 10 rebounds per game)

Ella Clark, Hilton (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists per game)

Leora Cook, Pittsford Sutherland (14 points per game)

Natalie Cornell, Jasper-Troupsburg

Alyssa Cowart, Eastridge (16 points, 5 rebounds per game)

Rylee Cuozzo, York

Makenna Dunbar, Wellsville (10 points, 8.2 rebounds per game)

Jordan Dyring, Hornell

Zarriah Eldridge, East Rochester

Gabby Esposito, Pittsford Mendon

Shania Estrich, Greece Arcadia/Olympia

Rhylin Fehrenbach, Victor (averages double-double, 5 steals)

Mariah Freeman, Greece Athena/Odyssey (14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals per game)

Natasha Forkell, Greece Arcadia/Olympia

Malice Gay, Gates Chili

Klarissa Goode, Bishop Kearney

Taryn Goodness, Palmyra-Macedon (17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 2.9 assists)

Jorja Gray, Spencerport

Aaliviah Green, Eastridge (18.9 points per game)

Loren Green, Aquinas (17 points, 3 assists per game)

Alea Groff, Oakfield-Alabama

Mary Hamer, Genesee Valley/Belfast (13.75 points per game)

Mallory Heise, Hilton (18 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals per game)

Marianna Hodgins, Palmyra-Macedon (13.9 points, 13 rebounds, 2.6 steals, 1 block)

Lillian Hoyt, Hornell

Eva Jenny, Gananda (22 points per game)

Alyssa Kramer, Alexander (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists)

Eden Lewis, Pittsford Sutherland

Trinity Johnson, Greece Athena/Odyssey (10 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks per game)

Alyssa Marsh, Lima Christian (203 points, 87 rebounds, 54 steals)

Kaylee Marvin, Gananda

Calla McCombs, Bloomfield

Jaelyn Morris, Perry

Hazell Nickerson, Caledonia-Mumford (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists per game)

Mariah Ognibene, Elba (8 points, 9 rebounds per game)

Molly O’Toole, Aquinas (18 points, 8 rebounds per game)

Kendall Parker, Dundee/Bradford (19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists)

Emily Pietrzykowski, Alexander

Sydney Reilly, Elba (22.5 points, 6 rebounds per game)

Tessa Rodwell, York (15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists)

Lydia Ross, Elba (12.5 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds)

Caitlin Ryan, Oakfield-Alabama

Chloe Scott, South Seneca (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists per game)

Sadie Scott, Brighton

Tiara Smith, Greece Athena/Odyssey (15 points, 6 steals, 4 rebounds, 3 assists per game)

Jah’zell Strong, Young Women College Prep

TaKyla Vaughn, Newark (16.7 points, 12.6 rebounds per game)

Haley Verkey, Mynderse Academy

Madelyn Verkey, Mynderse Academy (11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists per game)

Bria Watkins, Webster Schroeder (16 points per game)

Asia Wilson, Bishop Kearney

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V girls basketball: 64 players on midseason AGR watchlist