Holley girls face early road tests

Photo by Mike Wertman – Seniors Samantha Barniak, left, and Jade Underwood, will lead the Holley girls basketball team into the upcoming Genesee Region League season.

Looking to improve upon last year’s 3-16 record, the Holley girls basketball team will face a challenging season opening stretch by playing seven of their first eight games on the road.

The veteran senior duo of Samantha Barniak and Jade Underwood will lead the way for Holley which is slated to open the G-R season at Byron-Bergen on Tuesday.

Barniak had 127 points, 89 rebounds and 37 steals for the Lady Hawks last year.

The Lady Hawks early season road stretch will be highlighted by participation in the Kendall Tournament this coming Thursday and Saturday. Holley will face the host Lady Eagles in the opening round.

Holley also returns experience in senior Tabitha Swift along with juniors Emily Bailey and Nikki Sipio.

Sophomores Hayley Rowley, Makenzie Ferranti and Claudia Drechsel are up from the JV ranks.

“These is no reason we can’t improve on last year,” said Coach Justine Tese. “We need to continue to play tight defense and rebound and get better balance in our scoring. I’m confident in our senior leadership.”

The Lady Hawks key losses to graduation were Nicole Blackburn (194 points, 122 rebounds), Lexi Reyngoudt, Nicki Mauro and Claudia Passarell.

Holley’s Schedule

Dec. 2 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Dec, 4 – at Kendall Tournament, vs. Kendall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 – at Kendall Tournament, TBA
Dec. 10 – Pembroke ,7 p.m.
Dec. 15 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 – at Lyndonville, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 – Attica, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 – Lima Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
Jan .16 – Elba, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 – Lyndonville ,7 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 – Alexander, 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 – Kendall, 7 p.m.
Feb. 16 – at Attica, 7 p.m.