Honesdale Missy Basketball Association celebrates another successful season
HONESDALE — Hundreds of local fans packed the stands at Stourbridge Primary this past weekend to celebrate the grand finale of another successful Honesdale Missy Basketball Association season.
This year’s edition of the venerable youth hoops league tipped-off its season in early January. More than 100 players participated with a total of 10 teams in the Junior and Senior divisions.
The campaign wrapped up on Saturday with the Senior Division championship game, consolation contest and the annual free throw shooting competition.
More: Honesdale parts ways with longtime basketball coach Ron Rowe
According to league spokesman Maurice Meagher III, a dedicated group of volunteers made for an exciting fun-filled season.
“Missy Basketball’s philosophy is about player development in an inclusive and positive environment,” he said. “The main goal is to have as many girls as possible developing an interest and passion for the game of basketball.”
Also by Kevin Edwards: Honesdale's boys basketball season comes to an end at the District 2 tournament
Longtime Honesdale varsity coach Ron Rowe, who played a key role in reviving the league after an extended hiatus due to the pandemic, has nothing but praise for the positive direction it’s taken.
“Missy Basketball is thriving because of Maurice Meagher and parent volunteers,” Rowe said. “He is so well-organized and extremely dedicated to youth sports. Maurice has done an outstanding job these last two years.”
A grand finale
Ten local businesses stepped up to sponsor individual teams in this year’s Honesdale Missy Basketball campaign.
Junior Division squads were supported by: Quality Printing, Woodland Design, Linde Corporation, BGM Fastener Company. Senior Division teams were backed by: Dave’s Super Duper, Zefran Dental, G5 Insurance, Cherry Ridge Airport, Nolan’s Auto-Body, Bluestone Environmental.
On Saturday, February 24, the Nolan’s Auto-Body Wreckers squared off with the Zefran Dental Hawks in the Senior Division championship game.
The two teams appeared evenly-matched in the early going before the Wreckers eventually pulled away for a 33-21 victory.
The Wreckers took a 6-2 lead after one quarter, but the Hawks rallied and closed the gap to just 10-9 at halftime.
However, the Wreckers dominated the third period, thanks in large part to the play of Isabella Ramirez. The talented young cager rattled the rims for eight points in the quarter en route to a game-high 12.
Emma Leopardi also contributed key plays to the Wreckers’ cause, tickling the twine for six points. Madison Fritz and Kendall Stinavage chipped in with four each while Kendra Nolan added two.
Abby Kilker paced a balanced Hawks attack with seven points and Amelia Valerio tallied four.
Following the title tilt, the Bluestone Environmental Gems and the Cherry Ridge Airport Flyers met in the Senior Division consolation contest. This one was dominated by the Gems who built a big early lead, then cruised to a 35-10 decision.
Paige Sellars was top gun for the Gems, erupting for a game-high 13 points. Ayla D’Albora also turned in a stellar effort with eight points, while Bristol Smith tallied six.
The Flyers were led by Ardis Daskovsky, who scored three, Margaret Schlosser and Brazlyn Ubertini, who netted two apiece.
Following the final two games, the annual free throw competition took place. The event honors longtime Missy Basketball volunteers Judy Goyette and Janine Edwards.
After a highly entertaining shootout, Katie Kilker emerged as the overall champion. She knocked down 9-of-10 attempts in the championship round.
It takes a village
This year’s Honesdale Missy Basketball Association season began with team selection and practices back in November.
Over the course of the next four months, volunteers of all ages came together to ensure that everything went smoothly.
“We couldn’t have done any of this without our great group of volunteers,” Meagher said. “People like Mike Fisch (referees), Erin Kilker (concessions), Terri Kriner, Christine Siepiela, Ashley Lotz (registrations), Heather Porreca (sponsors) and Katie Waldrep (social media) did an amazing job all season.”
Also volunteering their time…
•Coaches: Ashley Ticknor, Emily Wood, Kristen Dux, Kady Gianetti, Jessica Giannetti, Stacy Mansfield, Robin Nolan, Tiffany Tyler, Melanie Mahoney, Kady Schloesser.
•Referees: Sarah Canfield, Zoey Tyler, Natalie Goldstein, Claire Goldstein, Breanna Bodie, Mike Fisch, Bob Spaulding, Paul Cooper, Scott Rickard, Ed Martin, Caleb Spaulding.
•Scorekeepers: Abigail Meagher, Madison Meagher, Elizabeth Meagher, Maureen Meagher, Elizabeth Canfield, Payton Nolan, Myah Mahoney, Payton Nolan, Kiley Brady, Olivia Reed.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wreckers defeat Hawks to claim Honesdale Missy Basketball title
