Pittsford girls prep hoops ready to compete for Pat Patterson Pool A title after 5-0 start
PITTSFORD — It can be tough to win multiple games in a row at the high school basketball level, especially with an onslaught of league contests that can prove to be a challenge regardless of record.
But for this year's Pittsford girls basketball team, their experience from 2022-23 has already shown that this group of Wildcats is capable of making a run during the regular season.
Motivations
Last year, under coach Aaron Davis, the Wildcats had a 10-game win streak that extended from Dec. 9 all the way through to the end of January. They turned that run into an 18-3 overall record, a spot in the AP state rankings and a SCAA East title. However, 2022-23 ended on a sour note for the district title hopefuls.
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They ran into an Adrian Lenawee Christian squad that played their way to the Breslin Center and a Division 4 semifinal. LCS defeated Pittsford on their own gym floor 51-44 for an early district exit.
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It was an unfortunate matchup that pitted the two best teams in the district in the same side of the bracket but a good test for the program. Coach Aaron Davis says the team has had those discussions almost every week this year at practice.
"We've had a lot of discussions about it," Coach Davis said. "We talk about it at least once a week at practice, about the difference between winning and losing. When you play good teams, you are going to win some and lose some. But we use that to say that's a measuring stick of where we are at. Seven points go the other way last year and we might be at the Breslin Center."
5-0
That loss has fueled the returning Wildcats for something not that far off from a revenge tour. To start their season, the Wildcats have gone 5-0, beating every single one of their opponents by double digits. This includes, most recently, wins over Athens (45-29), Hillsdale Academy (53-23) and Camden-Frontier (36-7).
"We've used it," Coach Davis said. "These girls have taken a lot of this to heart. They want to be successful. They're here every day, putting the work in, and it's paid off so far. This is only the second year I've been coaching that we've started off this way."
So far, the Wildcats have gotten big scoring games out of three key returners. One of those is junior point guard Ava Mallar. Mallar headed into the season with several accolades on her resume, but the junior has been on fire to start 2023, hitting for nearly 90 points through five matches.
Part of her success this season has come from the confidence boost she has gotten after her commitment to Grand Valley State to continue her basketball career at the next level.
"It's taken a lot of pressure off of me knowing that I've committed and don't have to worry about it, and it's just been a big confidence booster for me," Mallar said.
Right behind Mallar in scoring has been senior Halle Clark, one of two returning seniors that has been one of the vocal leaders and key playmakers. Clark had 14 points against Camden. Junior Riley McCumber is third in team scoring and has also been a difference maker on offense.
Coach Davis said that one of their biggest factors in the program's recent success has been everyone playing an important role on the team. Davis said the biggest example of this has been senior Shelby Bryner.
"Shelby Bryner comes to work every day," Davis said. "She doesn't complain, doesn't get the most shots in the world, but the girl plays phenomenal defense. She works hard and plays 32 minutes a game."
Room to Improve
They may sit at 5-0, but like any team, the Wildcats aren't without their flaws. Some of those are in their control and some are not, but the team has worked hard to come out and deal with those limitations every day at practice, something Clark would like to see the team continue doing.
Most of the Wildcat players say their ultimate goal is to win the district championship. There is still a long season ahead until March Madness, but Mallar sees the team on track to compete for that ultimate goal.
"We want to win districts this year," Mallar. "We have won the league the last two years, and now we want to win a district. We've been playing really well this year, especially on defense. We just need to hit shots, then I think we can win it."
Pat Patterson
The Wildcats will have a short Holiday break before getting back to league play in the New Year, but before that they will test their limits at the annual Pat Patterson Holiday tournament.
Coach Davis says the team is going to play to their strengths and identity as a program and look to end the year without a blemish on their record.
"We are going to come in and compete hard," Davis said. "I think right now if you see Pittsford basketball you know we are coming to play. We are going to play hard and bring pressure. We are just looking to play good teams right now. Hopefully we go in there and finish with good results, get two wins and go 7-0 before the new year."
The tournament starts Dec. 28 with championship games held on Dec. 29 at Hillsdale College.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Pittsford girls basketball is ready to take on anyone after 5-0 start to 2023 season
