Weedsport Girls Basketball Defeats APW; Files Scores 1000 Points

With a career milestone on the mind, Jeslyn Files knew what she had to do in order to bring the Weedsport Warriors on top. After scoring 31 points, she did just that as the Warriors defeated the APW Rebels 71-34 on Wednesday night.

With a slow start to the beginning of the game, the Warriors came into the second quarter in a dominating fashion. Weedsport was playing in an aggressive manner, making sure to get the jump-balls and block when needed.

The Warriors had a lot of breakaway offense, which was key to the dominating victory. Many of the Warriors’ points came from that style of offense.

“We’ve been playing a lot of man, and we just haven’t been getting that breakout,” said head coach, Chris Vargason. “Tonight, we kind of switched it up a little. Played a little zone press, then a little half court trap that I think got a lot of tips and deflections that confused them.

“Coach [Piascik] said at half-time, ‘geez Jeslyn needs six points’ or something and I was like ‘really’,” said Vargason. “Because it didn’t seem like that to me.”

To finish up the first half, the Warriors kept dominating the ball game, and ended the half with a score of 36-12. At this point, Files only needed six more points to hit the 1000-point milestone.

Coming out into the second half, Files knew, once again, what she had to do to make her dreams come true. She opened up with a big three pointer to bring the lead to 39-12. After some more tough play, the Warriors were up 45-19.

Files drew a foul, and went two-for-two from the foul line. She only needed one more point. However, she seemed to have the worst luck, as each shot seemed to bounce right out of the net.

With 1:49 left in the third quarter, Files made her 27 point of the night, and entered the 1,000 Point Club off a jump-shot from the left side of the net. Files didn’t really realize what she had just done.

“The feeling like right now, it feels amazing,” said Files. “It’s probably going to hit me later.

“It’s just an honor.”

Files is now one of five basketball players on the girl’s’ side to join the elite group. She joins Karen Case (1009), Kaitlyn Hammersley (1552), Brittany LaForce (1035), and Abby Marsden (1121). It was a relieving end to the third quarter for the Warriors.

“Each [1,000 point player] that comes through is special,” said Vargason. “Each ones that gets that plateau is special. Like I told the kids, I thanked the seniors. All four of them, not just Jeslyn, all four of them, for finishing this out.”

According to Vargason, it was a total senior effort that Files reached the milestone of 1,000 points.

“I thanked all four of them for seeing this through, because Jeslyn wouldn’t have gotten 1,000 if it wasn’t for the rest of them,” said Vargason.

With a quarter still left the play, the Warriors seemed to have the game in hand. Lot’s of substitutions were made, and the seniors all got a little bit of glory to end the game. It was Nicole Soutar’s first game back after a long injury, and Lexi Appleby had a huge three-pointer towards the end of the game.

Files finished with 31 points on the night, ending with 1,005 points. She’s only four points behind Case for fourth place on the elite list.

But now, Weedsport (16-3), who is ranked No. 24 in the state for Class C, looks to face Section V opponent, Clyde-Savannah on Friday night. However, the game plan still remains the same.

“Hopefully similar fashion to what we had this evening,” said Vargason. “I’d like to play in sectionals a little half court trap game, we’ve been working on that a little bit, so we’re going to run a little half court trap on them.”

After Friday, the girls look forward to Sunday, when the Section III Basketball tournament seedings are released.

“[We’re] just trying to get the win, obviously,” said Files. “Finish out the regular season strong, and hopefully just get a good time in sectionals to keep it rolling.”