FairportBasketball.com

Jeff DiVeronica
Staff writer

(February 29, 2008) — CHILI — Top-seeded Fairport survived a semifinal scare on Thursday night, turning away a stiff challenge by Edison, 59-51, in the Section V Class AAA basketball semifinals.

But sophomore forward Allyson DiMagno wasn't surprised at the will to win displayed by the girls from Edison, who dug out from an 11-0 hole at Roberts Wesleyan College to trail by just one point with 3½ minutes left.

And she wasn't surprised the tournament-tested Red Raiders (20-2) made enough plays down the stretch to win.

"We feel pretty fortunate, but I think it's a testament to our team," said DiMagno, who scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a bumpy 32 minutes in the paint.

"The hard work we put in is what got us through. We've battled through some tough games — Rush-(Henrietta), Penfield, (Pittsford) Mendon — and we fought right through this."

The next obstacle is the big one. No. 2 seed R-H (19-3) is the four-time defending sectional and two-time defending state champion. Monday's title game is at 8:30 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial.

Fairport swept their two matchups during Monroe County Division I play. Early on it looked like the Raiders would race past No. 4 Edison (16-6), which was led by seniors Deyara Burrell (15 points) and Chelsea Sanders (13).

"We were out of position on defense and all of a sudden, boom, they get four or five easy buckets," Edison coach Michael Costa said.

But a four-point play by Burrell, who was fouled on a 3-pointer, and a '3' by Ciara Twillie (11 points) woke up Edison.

DiMagno and senior forward Caitlin McKinnon hurt the Inventors all night in the lane. DiMagno scored 14 points, as Fairport led 35-24 at halftime. McKinnon finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds and center Tanisha Travis added six points and 11 boards.

But Edison scored the first eight points of the second half and it was a ballgame again.

"After the way we started and once we got to halftime still up by a lot, I feel like we did step off the gas a bit and put it on cruise control," DiMagno said.

Four straight points from Sanders and two Burrell free throws trimmed the Fairport lead to 48-46 midway through the fourth quarter. After a Fairport free throw, Burrell shoveled a pass to Brittany Harmon for a layup and it was a one-point game, 49-48, with 3:40 left.

But McKinnon answered and Sanders' 3-pointer that would have tied it at 51 went in and out. A free throw by Travis and easy layup by McKinnon off an inbounds pass gave Fairport breathing room, 54-48.

Edison could have tightened it again, but missed the front end of two one-and-one free throws.

"We definitely feel fortunate (to win) but at the same time we're looking forward to Rush," Fairport coach Scott Forrest said. "I really think Rush winning (earlier at Roberts over Penfield), once our girls found out that, it was only natural to look ahead."

JDIVERON@DemocratandChronicle.com


	News > Girls' Varsity > Semi-Finals : Edison Tech
	12.29.07 Fairport moves into Class AAA final DiMagno's 22 points help lift Red Raiders to victory Jeff DiVeronica Staff writer (February 29, 2008) — CHILI — Top-seeded Fairport survived a semifinal scare on Thursday night, turning away a stiff challenge by Edison, 59-51, in the Section V Class AAA basketball semifinals. But sophomore forward Allyson DiMagno wasn't surprised at the will to win displayed by the girls from Edison, who dug out from an 11-0 hole at Roberts Wesleyan College to trail by just one point with 3½ minutes left. And she wasn't surprised the tournament-tested Red Raiders (20-2) made enough plays down the stretch to win. "We feel pretty fortunate, but I think it's a testament to our team," said DiMagno, who scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a bumpy 32 minutes in the paint. "The hard work we put in is what got us through. We've battled through some tough games — Rush-(Henrietta), Penfield, (Pittsford) Mendon — and we fought right through this." The next obstacle is the big one. No. 2 seed R-H (19-3) is the four-time defending sectional and two-time defending state champion. Monday's title game is at 8:30 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial. Fairport swept their two matchups during Monroe County Division I play. Early on it looked like the Raiders would race past No. 4 Edison (16-6), which was led by seniors Deyara Burrell (15 points) and Chelsea Sanders (13). "We were out of position on defense and all of a sudden, boom, they get four or five easy buckets," Edison coach Michael Costa said. But a four-point play by Burrell, who was fouled on a 3-pointer, and a '3' by Ciara Twillie (11 points) woke up Edison. DiMagno and senior forward Caitlin McKinnon hurt the Inventors all night in the lane. DiMagno scored 14 points, as Fairport led 35-24 at halftime. McKinnon finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds and center Tanisha Travis added six points and 11 boards. But Edison scored the first eight points of the second half and it was a ballgame again. "After the way we started and once we got to halftime still up by a lot, I feel like we did step off the gas a bit and put it on cruise control," DiMagno said. Four straight points from Sanders and two Burrell free throws trimmed the Fairport lead to 48-46 midway through the fourth quarter. After a Fairport free throw, Burrell shoveled a pass to Brittany Harmon for a layup and it was a one-point game, 49-48, with 3:40 left. But McKinnon answered and Sanders' 3-pointer that would have tied it at 51 went in and out. A free throw by Travis and easy layup by McKinnon off an inbounds pass gave Fairport breathing room, 54-48. Edison could have tightened it again, but missed the front end of two one-and-one free throws. "We definitely feel fortunate (to win) but at the same time we're looking forward to Rush," Fairport coach Scott Forrest said. "I really think Rush winning (earlier at Roberts over Penfield), once our girls found out that, it was only natural to look ahead." JDIVERON@DemocratandChronicle.com source: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080229/SPORTS08/802290332/1007/SPORTS