Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.
The Citizen's top 10 most-read stories of the week.
DRYDEN — Building a champion is a thorough, sometimes gut-wrenching process.
On Saturday, Union Springs girls basketball bore the fruits of their labors.
For the first time in program history, the Wolves are section champs.
Union Springs defeated Moravia 52-32 in the Section IV, Class C final at Tompkins Cortland Community College, and in the process continued an undefeated season that has now stretched to 23 wins.
The Wolves' growth toward Saturday's triumph was effectively a five-year plan, starting with Andy Kalet taking over the varsity program in 2018-19.
His first year at the helm, the Wolves made sectionals but were thumped in the opening round by eventual champion Watkins Glen. Union Springs made a surprising run to the section final the next year but fell short, then lost in devastating fashion in last season's semifinal.
All building blocks toward Saturday's triumph.
"It's incredibly emotional. There's a lot better coaches than me out there and maybe haven't had this opportunity. I'm super grateful," Kalet said. "We've been on both ends of it now, and it's tough (when you lose). The feeling isn't good, but I told the kids to learn and build from it because it's a feeling you can get better from. We learned from it and kept working."
Moravia provided a fitting final test. As Cayuga County and IAC division rivals, the Blue Devils played the undefeated Wolves as well as any other in two meetings during the regular season.
While Union Springs won both times — 45-42 on Jan. 4 and 47-37 less than two weeks later — the matchups provided a teachable moment entering the third tilt.
"We knew we had to play all four quarters, because the last two games with them we didn't," Kalet said. "Credit to Moravia, they made us a better team. I told my team the first time we played them, there's a good chance we're gonna see these guys down the road when it matters. They're a great team that's never going away, because they fight and fight. You know when you're playing Moravia, it's never over until that buzzer sounds."
The Blue Devils delivered on that reputation, holding an early 8-5 lead following back-to-back 3-pointers by Allison Kehoe as Union Springs struggled to score.
That changed in a hurry toward the end of the first quarter thanks to one of the Wolves' unsung heroes. Freshman guard Madison Kalet knocked down consecutive 3s to put Union Springs back ahead.
Kalet added her third and fourth 3s in the second quarter, and a fifth in the third along with an and-one. Her shooting ensured the Wolves never trailed again after Kehoe's baskets in the first quarter.
"It was good for me I think, because I haven't had a good last couple games," Kalet said. "I was glad I could step up today and help the team."
Her performance was also thematic of the Wolves' winning recipe: Role players, whether it be Ella Johnson and Lilly Casler banking successful 3s, or Xavia Evener and Ainsley Francis-Biter contributing quality minutes and points off the bench, were the difference.
"The girls can't control how many minutes they play, but they can control how they contribute when they're out there. And that's exactly what happened," coach Kalet said. "That's what this team has been. They're totally unselfish and understand their roles, and when roles change they adapt to them."
Madison Kalet finished with a game-high 18 points, while senior Payton Gilbert was the other teammate to reach double figures with 12.
Kehoe totaled 10 for Moravia, while Caraline Wasileski chipped in seven.
This Wolves season, so far, has been about the weight of expectation. Union Springs has three seniors — Gilbert, point guard Kailey Kalet and forward Danielle Waldron — that were critical players on the 2019-20 team that lost in the section finals.
While a championship seemed like a foregone conclusion at the time, circumstance had other ideas. Union Springs did not return to the finals in 2021 (no sectionals due to COVID-19) or 2022, and this season was that group's last chance.
Understanding the stakes made the moment all the more special.
"We knew we could do it. We just needed to execute," Gilbert said. "We knew this was our last chance and everything was on the line. It felt good, and we're not done yet."
Said coach Kalet, "I said at the awards banquet last year, 'I'll handle the pressure, you handle the expectation.' That's kinda been our motto. And all through the year, it was one possession, one quarter, one game at a time. There was no way we were looking ahead until we complete the job.
"Now, I'm looking at Cooperstown."
Cooperstown, the Section III champion, is Union Springs' next foe after the former's win over Weedsport on Saturday. No stranger to section titles, this will be the Hawkeyes' sixth trip to the state tournament in the last 10 years.
"Hopefully we can take (this season) all the way," Gilbert said. "It's definitely possible if we bring it. We just have to stay together and have everyone contribute."
Union Springs coach Andy Kalet and the Wolves' bench celebrate a basket against Moravia during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Moravia's Gabby Heim drives to the hoop while Union Springs' Payton Gilbert defends during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Danielle Waldron leads the fast break against Moravia during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Moravia's Allison Kehoe looks to score while Union Springs' Kailey Kalet, center, and Xavia Evener defend during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Madison Kalet, left, and Moravia's Jordan Smith battle for a loose ball during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Payton Gilbert scores against Moravia during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Madison Kalet shoots a 3 against Moravia during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Payton Gilbert shoots against Moravia during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Payton Gilbert and Moravia's Chloe Hanson grapple for possession during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Moravia's Chloe Hanson receives a hug from Union Springs coach Andy Kalet following the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs players celebrate after defeating Moravia in the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Union Springs' Kailey Kalet controls the ball while Moravia's Chloe Hanson defends during the Section IV, Class C final Saturday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
State police said they have found the Auburn woman who had been reported missing earlier on Wednesday.
The New York State Police is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing Auburn woman.
State police told The Citizen Wednesday that troopers are trying to find Shantel Coyle, 32, who is thought to be in Auburn or in surrounding areas. She was last seen Friday, Feb. 24, when she was brought to Auburn Community Hospital for an undisclosed reason, refused treatment and left around around 6 p.m, police said.
Coyle is about 5-feet-2-inches tall, weighs approximately 107 pounds and has blonde hair and brown eyes. Anyone who may have seen her or may have information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Auburn station of the state police at (315) 255-2766.
AUBURN — Kevin Pilipczak and a group of people came up with the Winter Olympics event in Auburn just to have something fun to do during a cold part of the year.
The 13th annual version of the event was held at Tinkers Guild Saturday, with teams of four to eight going head-to-head in games such as bocce ball, darts and shuffleboard. After he was finished speaking to the crowd at the start of the games, Pilipczak explained that he, wife Lyndsay, John Mortimer, the owner of Tinkers, Lyndsay's father, and others created the event around 13 years ago.
Pilipczak said the games are a way to "get into the festive season" before St. Patrick's Day arrives later this month.
"It's kind of like getting back into celebrating and being out, seeing people at bars, something you'd do as you're ending the doldrums of winter, where nothing's going on," he said. "So we're like, 'Let's do something fun that brings some people together,' lots of friends, people meet each other and we play a bunch of silly games like Jenga and checkers."
The event supports the Auburn Enlarged City School District's girls lacrosse program this year. Laughter and friendly banter filled the air as people took on different activities. Linda Nervina and Kevin Burns were on one end of a shuffleboard table, although the two were on opposing teams, with their respective teammates on the end of the table. Nervina said she was having a good time playing. Burns admitted he is terrible at shuffleboard but said it was still "wicked fun."
Nearby, Debi Baird was up against Michael Nowak in a checkers match, with Baird's pieces of the board far outnumbering Nowak's. After Nowak lost and he admitted defeat with a smile, Baird playfully talked about her victory.
"I'm getting ready for the podium for my gold medal," she said with a laugh.
Baird was also hanging out with a group that included Karen Windell, Kathy Roe, Sue Riordan and Beth Petrosino. They said they wanted to support Tinkers, help out the lacrosse program and praised members of the Auburn community for helping others.
"Auburn comes together when in need," Petrosino said.
Outside, Nervina, Nancy Vitale, Pat Moochler and Ken Carter were playing bocce ball despite the cold and snow. After the game, Moochler said he has been participating in the Winter Olympics event for around five years and added that he assist the lacrosse program.
"Its something to do on a Saturday in the winter," he said.
Megan Buckley throws a dart as Sherry DeBagio looks on at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
Linda Nervina and Kevin Burns play shuffleboard at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
Linda Nervina, left, tosses a ball as Nancy Vitale, Pat Moochler and Ken Carter look on during a bocce ball game at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
Linda Nervina, center, tosses a ball as Nancy Vitale, left, Pat Moochler and Ken Carter, far right, look on during a bocce ball game at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
Michael Nowak makes a move during a checkers game against Debi Baird at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
Scott Johnson tries not to disrupt a Jenga tower during the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
People hang out and play games at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
People hang out and play games at the 13th annual Winter Olympics in Auburn at Tinkers Guild Saturday.
A Cayuga County man is facing several criminal charges for not allowing a woman and her children to leave a residence for several hours, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
The sheriff's office was dispatched to a reported domestic incident on Moravia Venice Townline Road in Venice March 1, according to a news release. It was reported a woman had been held in the home against her will by her boyfriend.
Investigators concluded that Jacob Falso, 29, of 2115 Moravia Venice Townline Road, Venice, was armed with multiple knives that morning and displayed them in threatening manner, refusing to allow the woman to move freely around the residence. After several hours, the woman and her children were able to leave the home and contact 911, the release said.
Falso was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony; and endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree menacing, both misdemeanors. He was arraigned at the Centralized Arraignment Part court at the Cayuga County Jail and is currently being held without bail.
Those with information on the incident are asked to call (315) 258-3868 or leave tips at cayugacounty.us/452/Send-a-tip. People who reach out can remain anonymous.
Did you know that in 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky, a Guinness World Record was achieved when 20 people stuffed themselves into an “old school” VW Beetle? Impressive! More impressive was when Dick Woods chauffeured a gang of kiddos to school in his classic yellow bug. Music cascaded from the radio; he tapped his ring to the beat on the dashboard and skillfully navigated the steering wheel with the youngest passenger (his daughter) sitting on his lap! Safely arriving to school, the crew (somewhat circus-like) disembarked, smoothed out blue and green uniform jumpers, bow and clip-on ties were straightened, bookbags organized and the school day began. With a wave and a smile, all said goodbye to this larger-than-life and one-of-a-kind guy!
It is a pleasure to showcase Dick and Mary Woods and their wonderful family for the February 2023 Ormie King Legends of Auburn feature. Many thanks to Patti Schlegel and her siblings for contributing to this article.
Dick Woods and Mary Cregg were both born and raised in Auburn. Dick grew up on Owasco Street along with his two sisters, Dorothy (Carbanaro) and Betty (Rodgers). The Cregg family included JJ, Kitty (Boni), Mary, Helen (Paul). Holy Family High School brought these two together. As high school sweethearts, they shared a love for singing and performing in the school plays. They were married in 1951 at Holy Family Church and this beautiful couple soon became a BIG family (Tom, Lynda, Nancy, David, John, Patti, Beth and Katie)! Dick worked at Prudential Insurance and Mary, the New York Telephone Co. Their home was a constant hub of energy, fun and perhaps a squabble or two. Patti shared the story that when a sibling fight erupted, one of the kids would run to the telephone and “dial O to talk to Mom!” They quickly learned that their mother was not the only telephone operator.
Their corner home, with a big back yard, was situated in a neighborhood filled with children. Bicycles meandered between sidewalk and street; teams were picked to play ballgames in the nearby field. With streetlights on the fun continued ... flashlight tag, prison break, the rope trick and more. (Patti Schlegel Fun Fact: The game prison break is only known in communities that house a prison!) (Rope trick: As a car descended Augustus Street, two kids rushed to the center of the road pantomimed picking up and stretching a rope. Would the car slow down and stop ... hilarious.) Rushack’s, the neighborhood store with the best candy, was just two doors down from the family home. The siblings recalled the evening hum of music from the transistor radio and pizzas boxes delivered to the house on the corner of Anna and Augustus with the big green mailbox!
The Woods family at the beach.
Holy Family was a thread that brought Dick and Mary together and continued in the lives of their children. For countless years there was a framed picture of Dick Woods that graced the first-floor hallway of Holy Family School (kindergarten-eighth grade). There he was, situated next to the massive bulletin board along with the pope and the pastor. There was something comforting about his photo (that SMILE), especially to the students heading to the principal’s office. Dick played an active role on the parish council, Sunday CCD program and CYO basketball. He is even responsible (along with many other parish men) for establishing and literally building a school playground! Tom, Lynda, Nancy, David, and John graduated from Holy Family and Patti, Beth and Katie from Blessed Trinity!
The Woods family knew how to have fun and make fun! A family favorite was when Dad took the kids on “vacation” to the Syracuse Airport observation deck. “It was a blast!” Only later did they learn that people they knew actually got on those planes and took off for a vacation! One family trip did take all of them out of the country – that was the day trip to Niagara Falls (Canadian side)! The Woods children, along with their friends, shared New York State Fair adventures and “sleep outs” in the pop-up camper in the back yard.
Full disclosure ... I only really knew this Auburn couple as Mr. and Mrs. Woods, John and Patti’s mom and dad! My view from afar and long ago, was not enough to do them justice so I asked Patti to describe her parents. She quickly replied:
“Dad: gregarious, jokester, outgoing, funny, dedicated, great guy, quick witted and handsome / Mom: sweet, kind, funny, quiet, beautiful, caring and the lady who had the white streak in her hair.” They really were quite a special couple.
The Woods family learned about friendship from their parents. Dick and Mary had an army of friends they played golf, bowled, and socialized with regularly. At least once a month, the Buschman, Stevens, Muldoon, Salzer, Baron, Burke (and more) parents and kids rotated between houses for get-togethers! Another spot that these friends shared was Highland Golf Club, enjoying golf and dinner and lots of laughter. But Auburn stood still, and smiles turned to tears on July 7, 1978, the day that Dick Woods died. For the next 20 years Mary led the family by example. Most of the siblings have remained in the central New York area, working locally. David, a graphic artist, lives in California.
Something quite unexpected happened when the Holy Family High School thread would reappear once again! Dr. Richard Bergin graduated with Dick and Mary but soon after left Auburn to become a veterinarian. He moved out west and settled into married life and his career. It was many years before he would return to Auburn (recently widowed); when he did it was for his 50th high school reunion. According to Patti, “He asked to escort my mother to the reunion. He did, and they were together every day until Mom’s death in 2018.” They were married for 19 years. Richard never had any children but continues to reside in Auburn with a big extended family, including all eight Woods children, loved ones and several grandchildren and great grandchildren!
Perhaps it all started with the thread of a smile and a song, thanks to Dick and Mary Woods, Auburn shines just a bit brighter. Cheers to the Woods family!
Let’s all choose to live a little bit more Ormie-like: “Live life, cheat death and laugh often.” Are you planning a family reunion? If so, I would love to feature your family in Legends of Auburn. Please reach out to me by email. — Teresa Ringwood Hoercher, teresahoercher@gmail.com
The Woods family at the beach.
The Woods family on baptism day for Katie.
Dick and Mary Woods on their wedding day.
Around Auburn was a regular component of Ormie King's Legends of Auburn features, which were published weekly for 26 years until he retired in early January. The Citizen continues to publish Around Auburn every other Sunday
If you can, for a moment, put aside today’s football game and remind yourself that Tuesday is Valentine’s Day.
With each new year comes new beginnings! In keeping with that tradition, today will be my last article. I have enjoyed sharing stories with yo…
DRYDEN — While this group of players are strangers to the semifinal stage, Moravia girls basketball didn't play like it.
Now the Blue Devils will play in their first final in several years.
Third-seeded Moravia took care of No. 7 Delhi 39-30 on Wednesday in the Section IV, Class C semifinals Wednesday at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
The win clinches a berth in the section championship game, Moravia's first appearance since 2016. Since that season, the Blue Devils had reached the semifinal twice (2017, 2018) and lost both contests.
The achievement from this year's team, to return to the final, is not lost upon coach John Crossgrove.
"I love that we're continuing to play and that I get to continue to coach these girls," Crossgrove said. "They're very disciplined and hard-working, and very professional which is a term you don't often use when describing high school teams. They take care of business and deserve to keep going."
Senior Chloe Hanson led all scorers with 11 points in the defensive battle. Jordan Smith was next with 10, all of which came in the second half, while Allison Kehoe added eight.
Moravia controlled play for much of the first half while forcing Delhi into several turnovers, but trailed 17-15 at the midway point.
The second-half deficit didn't last long. Smith opened the third quarter with a bucket only 15 seconds in to tie the score 17-17, and Kehoe knocked down a 3 the next possession to put Moravia ahead.
The Blue Devils never trailed from that point on. Delhi didn't manage a third-quarter basket until the 4:28 mark, on Natalie Vredenburgh's layup. The basket mattered little, however — Hanson and Kehoe each knocked down 3s late in the quarter to send Moravia into the fourth with an eight-point lead.
The advantage grew to as many as 12 in the fourth, following a floater from Smith early on.
In the end, Moravia's stingy defense held Delhi to its lowest scoring game of sectionals thus far.
"The intensity and effort level was probably as high as it's ever been," Crossgrove said. "They got us out of a position a few times but we stayed smart, took care of rebounds and getting stops and getting possession back."
Moravia is not a team deep in varsity experience. While the team has four seniors, only one — the forward Hanson — is in the starting lineup.
Though the Blue Devils lean heavily on juniors and sophomores, this sectional run thus far has shown the stage is not too big.
"They're intense and committed," Crossgrove said. "Heidi Andersen has been hurt this year but does whatever she can to help us. Kayleigh Utter is one of our top players off the bench and shows a lot of character, giving us solid minutes when she gets a chance. And obviously Chloe is leading the way. She just loves basketball and wants to play as much as she can.
"There's great veteran leadership out of our senior group, and the younger kids show a lot of leadership too."
Moravia (18-4) will play either Union Springs or Unatego in the finals on Saturday.
Should the Blue Devils meet the Wolves for the third time, Crossgrove said the looming matchup is one his team looks forward to. Though Union Springs entered sectionals ranked No.1 in the state with an undefeated record, Moravia gave the Wolves everything they could handle in the two previous meetings.
That includes a three point game, 45-42, back in January.
"I know the girls really want to play Union Springs for a third time," Crossgrove said. "They started talking about it before we even played them a second time, that hopefully we'd play multiple times.
"We'll take whatever we can get. It'll be a hard fought game no matter who it is."
Moravia's Gabby Heim tries to wrestle the ball from Delaware Academy's Vidya Samudrala during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Olivia Genson drives to the basket against Delaware Academy during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia boys basketball players show their support for lady Blue Devils against Delaware Academy during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Jordan Smith brings the ball up court against Delaware Academy during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Chloe Hanson scores against Delaware Academy during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Chloe Hanson and Gabby Heim celebrate with their teammates after defeating Delaware Academy during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Olivia Genson sets to shoot against Delaware Academy's Alyssa Gioffe during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's Chloe Hanson battles under the basket against Delhi during the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Moravia's players, left to right, Jordan Smith, Olivia Ganson and Gabby Heim celebrate with head coach John Crossgrove after defeating Delhi in the Section IV, Class C semifinal at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.
Although the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office initially arrested an Oswego County man in February after he allegedly drove drunk to the scene of a crash he was seemingly not involved in, law enforcement have determined he was behind the wheel during the original incident.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck told The Citizen Friday that Zachary A. Forshee, 30, of 255 County Road 7, Hannibal, received some criminal counts March 2 that were connected to charges he received last month.
Deputies investigated a one-vehicle rollover on Ferris Road in the town of Ira on the night of Feb. 18 when Forshee, who had previously been convicted of drunk driving, arrived at the scene "in an uninvolved vehicle," Schenck previously said.
While a patrol deputy investigated the incident, he observed Forshee walk up to the scene. During their interaction, the deputy observed Forshee appeared to be intoxicated. Forshee was asked to remain at the accident for a few minutes so the deputy could get back to him, but Forshee drove off. He was pursued by deputies who had been at the scene of the rollover and was arrested on a DWI charge and other counts.
Schenck said Friday deputies thought at first that Forshee drove to the scene of the rollover just to check up on someone he knew who had been in the crash. However, it has since been determined that Forshee had been driving the vehicle involved in the rollover. Investigators also determined Forshee left the incident after the crash and then drove back in a different vehicle when deputies saw him approach the scene, the sheriff added.
A woman had been at the scene of the crash, Schenck noted. Deputies originally thought the woman was the driver of the crashed vehicle before the investigation revealed it had been Forshee.
"We're continuing to investigate and determine what her role was in this, if any, so I know our deputies are still working on that," Schenck said. He added the sheriff's office is still looking into the incident.
Forshee was charged March 2 with use of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving scene of an incident without reporting and a violation related to moving from a lane unsafely, in connection to last month's events.
At the time, Forshee was picked up on counts of driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction in the last 10 years, use of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, in addition to a seat belt violation and a violation related to failure to notify the DMV of an address change.
Schenck also expressed concern Friday regarding a recent increase in DWI charges in Cayuga County.
"We're continuing to see alarming trends with the number of people being arrested for driving while intoxicated," he said. "So I would just continue to encourage people to have a plan if they're going to drink, make sure that they have a ride or plan so that they're not caught behind the wheel."
SYRACUSE — Posed with answering how a team that leans so heavily on underclassmen pulls through in the big moments, Weedsport freshman Mallory Brown circled two characteristics.
The Warriors had both on Sunday. Weedsport pulled through with a 51-44 win against Herkimer in the Section III, Class C semifinals at Onondaga Community College.
Appropriately, it was Brown who delivered the de-facto winning shot. Her 3-pointer with 57 seconds remaining — which followed a pass from another freshman, Kayla Flask — put Weedsport ahead by five and effectively shut the door on the Magicians' season.
"When your freshman steps up and takes a big shot like that, it shows you have confidence in what you're doing," Warriors coach Chris Vargason said. "That's exactly what both freshmen, and really the whole team did. All of them played well."
With freshman fortune, sometimes come freshman follies. Brown was pulled for a handful of minutes in the fourth quarter after picking up her fourth foul. When the game was on the line, though, she re-entered the battle.
"Maybe she gathered her thoughts a little bit," Vargason said. "She went out and drilled it. I was very happy about that."
Weedsport and Herkimer were locked in a game of tug-of-war for much of the game, trading leads throughout. Four straight points from sophomore Keegan McNabb provided a 23-21 lead at the half, while sophomore Gabby Jeffers converted a baseline drive before the third quarter buzzer that put Weedsport in front by five.
Herkimer's pesky lineup didn't let Weedsport pull away, however. Though Weedsport took a seven-point lead early in the fourth, the Magicians fought back to force a one-possession game.
Weedsport held the ball with a minute to go, passing the ball around the perimeter as Herkimer settled in a zone. The ball found its way to Flask on the left wing and Herkimer's zone slid that way, which left too much space for Brown on the other side.
Flask flipped a pass over the defense to Brown who, without hesitation, put up a 3 that caught nothing but net.
"We've been practicing a lot with those passes in practice," Brown said. "We got it down and the shot was good."
Brown finished with 10 points — which includes book-end 3s to start the game and end it.
Morgan Flask, the lone senior on the team, ended up tied for the team-high with 11. Kayla Flask also had 11, while McNabb contributed 10.
Of the older Flask, who provides a powerful presence around the net, Brown alluded to her leadership as a major reason the youthful Warriors are enjoying so much success.
"Morgan's awesome," Brown said. "She's one of the best players down low and knows what to do and keeps us together. She's kinda like the mom on the team."
Weedsport (19-4) has a familiar opponent upcoming in the section final. The top-seeded Warriors will take on Cooperstown, marking the sixth time in 10 seasons the two programs have met in sectional play.
Cooperstown has won four of the previous five contests, three of which (2013, 2015, 2020) came in the section final.
"Yes, (I'm sick of them)," Vargason joked. "Maybe they're sick of seeing us too. Cooperstown has a great program and we're thrilled to play them and be in the championship game."
That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at Onondaga Community College. The winner advances to the New York state tournament.
Weedsport head coach Chris Vargason directs his players against Herkimer during the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Herkimer's Madison Marusic reacts after the referee signals the ball went out of bounds off of her turning possession over to Weedsport with under a minute to play during the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport fans cheer after a basket against Herkimer during the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport's Mallory Brown hugs Morgan Flask after the Warriors defeated Herkimer 51-44 in the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport's Molly Milton steals the ball from Herkimer's Charity Dygert during the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport's Morgan Flask drives to the basket between two Herkimer defenders during the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport's Morgan Flask celebrates victory over Herkimer in the Section III, Class C semifinal at SRC Arena.
Weedsport's Gabby Jeffers drives past Herkimer's Bailey Bray during the Section III, Class C semifinal Feb. 26 at Onondaga Community College.
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
A winter storm settled into the area Tuesday with snow accumulations of 9 to 18 inches predicted and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
Browse through recently listed homes in the Auburn and Cayuga County real estate market and find your next home!
Read through the obituaries published in The Citizen
The Citizen's top 10 most-read stories of the week.
This week's local crime and court updates from The Citizen.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.