Keshequa tops Lyndonville for D1 title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 March 2023 at 10:20 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Ashlee Stephens battles for a rebound with Keshequa’s Julia Wilkins during this evening’s Section V Class D1 championship game at Letchworth.

Moving on top to stay with a key second quarter scoring burst, top seeded Keshequa went on to down No. 3 Lyndonville 58-41 in the Section V Class D1 girls basketball championship game this evening at Letchworth.

Ava Thayer scored 18, Libby Benner 17 and Braelyn Isaman 14 to lead the way for Keshequa. Benner was named the D1 tourney’s Most Valuable Player while Thayer and Isaman were both named to the All Tournament team.

Ashlee Stephens and Lorelei Dillenbeck each scored 11, Addision Dillenbeck 10, Shelby Boring 5 and Isabella Groves 4 for Lyndonville. Stephens and Lorelei Dillenbeck were both named to the All Tournament team.

Lyndonville’s Addison Dillenbeck drives by Keshequa’s Kelsey Davis.

Lyndonville did grab a slender 11-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Addison Dillenbeck, Stephens, Boring and Lorelei Dillenbeck all tallied during that stretch.

However, Keshequa answered with a key 15-5 second period scoring edge to take the lead for good by a 25-16 margin at the half. Benner and Thayer each had a three and a two and Isaman a three to spark that Indians surge.

Keeping the momentum, Keshequa upped the advantage to 14, 34-20, early in the third period as Anna Linde had three baskets including a three.

Lyndonville though came battling back to slice the deficit to just five twice late in the period, first at 31-26 and then at 38-33. Stephens and Lorelei Dillenbeck both scored four during that stretch as the Lady Tigers went 9 of 12 from the free throw line.

The Lady Tigers though could get no closer as a late basket by Isaman helped Keshequa regain an 8 point, 41-33, lead at the three-quarter mark.

Back-to-back baskets by Thayer quickly upped the Indians lead back up to 12, 45-33, to open the final period and the Lady Tigers could get no closer than nine after that.

Thayer scored 9, including a three, and Benner and Isaman both had 4 for the Indians in the final period.

Keshequa, which improves to 18-5, will next face D2 champion Andover/Whitesville next week for the overall Section V Class D title and a berth in the state playoffs. Andover/Whitesville defeated Elba 58-55 for the D2 title in the first game of the doubleheader.

Lyndonville finishes the season at 15-8. Click here for more photos from tonight’s game.

Section VI Class C title contest

Top seeded Randolph downed No. 3 Wilson 54-46 for the Section VI Class C championship this afternoon at Jamestown Community College.