Williams leads Saints to semi finals

Sophomore Brittany Williams scored 20 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line, to lead Churchville-Chili's girl's basketball team to a 49-46 overtime victory over fifth-ranked Edison Tech and a Class AAA sectional semi-final game with top seeded Rush-Henrietta.

Aside from a brief 5-4 lead early in the game, the Saints trailed until Morgan Skiff scored with 50 seconds remaining in regulation. The Inventors played the final five minutes of regulation with four players after one fouled out, but tied the game 40-40 with 44 seconds remaining to send the game into the extra session.

Edison took an early three-point lead in four-minute overtime, but was forced to play with three players when another fouled out with minutes remaining. Skiff then converted a three-point play when fouled on a lay-up with 88 seconds left to tie the game and senior Alyshia Thomas put the Saints ahead for good with her only points of the game with 75 seconds left. Ana Strembenis scored the final points of the game off a pass from Thomas in the final minute before Edison missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Williams added four assists to her team-high 20-point effort while Skiff, after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, came off the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kirstie Linza knocked down two three-pointers and scored eight points with five steals. Keanna Baker pulled down seven rebounds before fouling out.

The Saints lost to the Comets in the semi-finals 62-37 in a game played at Victor. The Saints scored 20 in the final quarter. Skiff led the team with 10 points. Seniors for Churchville-Chili include Thomas, Linza, Ashley Vail, Sam Marrero, Michele D'Amico and Chatanie Williams, who missed much of the season with knee surgery.

March 5, 2006