IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: CANDOR’S EXPERIENCE, 3-POINT ASSAULT TOO MUCH FOR TIOGA (January 13, 2026)

By TIM TAYLOR
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Candor brought the advantage in experience to Tioga and, with a red-hot assault from 3-point range, defeated Tioga, 60-31, in IAC South Small School girls basketball action here Tuesday evening.

The Coyotes knocked down 13 treys, including 11 in the first half to build a 45-21 halftime cushion. Their first three baskets came from beyond the arc, giving them a 9-0 advantage in just over two minutes.

“We were super hot,” Candor coach Carl Kanoff said. “Megan (Williamson), Malley Heidl), Emmi (Makie), all of them hitting. Good kick-outs to them, good tempo, and we were hot. That's what the defense gave us, so luckily that's what we took.”

“They had a lot of outside shots today that we just couldn't stop,” Tioga coach Stephanie Hills said. “If we can contest a few more of those, and be a little more aggressive outside of the 3-point arc, I think that will help us.”

Despite the deficit, the Tigers have shown improvement since the teams’ last two meetings, both wins by Candor at the Charlie Sibley Memorial and Chop Out Hunger tournaments.

“It was a little rough,” Hills said of the Chop Out Hunger game, “but I think that was kind of our low that they needed to see and now I think they're ready to just keep building.”

“I just told coach Hills they're much improved,” Kanoff said. “They're a young team, scrappy team. They got some good shooters, girls that know what to do with the ball. They're going to be coming a long way. They're going to be a force in the division for sure. You can tell just the way they played, the work they put in. That's good for them.”

“We are slowly working on improving,” Hills said. “They're starting to piece some things together, which is nice to see. They want to get better and they're putting in the work so I'm proud of them.”

Candor’s usual starting five (Hazel Ray missed this game) has logged numerous games together, giving them a distinct advantage in experience over the Tigers, whose 10-player lineup included one senior and one junior.

“I think that definitely helps their whole team chemistry,” Hills said. “When you play together for such a long period of time, you start to read each other better.”

Emmi Makie and Megan Williamson led the Coyotes to a 21-11 first-quarter lead with eight points apiece. Both canned two 3-pointers each while Malley Heidl added another.

Irie Lynch put up five points, including a trey, for the home team.

Makie pumped out 11 points in the second period, hitting a trio of 3-pointers. She also scored her 1,000th career point, making a short jumper with 1:31 remaining in the half.

Heidl tacked on three more treys as well as Candor extended its advantage to 24 points at the break.

Lynch added another five points, with a trey, for the Tigers while Kate Kithcart drained a 3-pointer.

The Coyotes would hold a slight 9-8 edge in the third quarter with Williamson popping in another 3-pointer to take a 54-29 lead into the final stanza..

Willamson hit from beyond the arc one more time in the final frame, accounting for five of Candor’s six points. Tioga had two, those coming on a bucket by Kithcart.

Makie finished the game with 22 points, including five 3-pointers, giving her 1,009 points for her career. Williamson contributed four threes and 19 points, and Heidl tacked on a dozen points, all from beyond the arc. Shawna Conklin added five points on 5-for-6 free throw shooting and Deanna Rich had two points.

Lynch paced Tioga with 10 points, hitting two treys and going 2-for-2 at the stripe. Kitchcart chipped in with seven points and one 3-pointer, Decker and Kaylynne Miller contributed six points each, and Adrienne Delmage added two points.

Candor, which leads the division, improved to 4-2 (6-3 overall) while Tioga slipped to 0-5 (0-9 overall).

The Coyotes travel to Windsor Thursday for a non-league game while the Tigers visit Southern Cayuga Friday.

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IN PHOTO 1: Kate Kithcart. IN TOP PHOTO: Kaylah Nelson battles for a rebound. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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