Valley Sports ReportHOUGHTON, N.Y. — The Red Wave 8th- & 9th-grade girls basketball team delivered "an outstanding championship performance" Sunday to post a 3-0 record at the Houghton University Tournament.
The Red Wave opened with a 46-18 win over Rochester-based Fury Fanning (8/9), and then beat the Houghton-area Lady Hornets (9/10), 61-28.
In the finale, Red Wave topped Corning-based Crystal City Bulldogs (9th), 50-21.
"The girls showcased the kind of team-first mentality that defines winning basketball," said Red Wave coach Toby Foster. "The girls made me look good, again.
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, this group played with relentless energy and purpose," he noted. "What stood out most was their commitment to each other unselfish ball movement, consistent communication, and a willingness to make the extra pass led to high-quality scoring opportunities throughout the day. The team’s ability to share the ball and trust one another offensively created a balanced attack that was difficult to defend.
"On the defensive end, the Red Wave was just as impressive," said Foster. "Their connected team defense set the tone, with players supporting one another, rotating effectively, and competing on every possession. It wasn’t just individual effort it was a collective buy-in to doing the little things right, possession after possession.
Equally important was the hustle displayed by every player on the roster. Loose balls, rebounds, defensive stops this team earned their success through effort and determination. Every player contributed, and that shared commitment made the difference," added Foster. "This championship run was a complete team performance in every sense, and it reflects the growth, grit, and unity of the Red Wave program. It was a well-earned and well-deserved championship."
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IN PHOTO: Back row, from left: Shyann Foster (manager), Isabella McEwen (Waverly), Irie Lynch (Tioga), Raygane Oakes (Waverly), and Addison Foster (Waverly). Front row, from left: Hayden Houck (manager), Meeya Wheeler (Waverly), Kezlynn DeKay (Waverly), Aubri Houck (Horseheads), Morgan Eiklor (Candor). ... PHOTO SUBMITTED.
