Rosse's Big Night Helps 'Canes Defeat Wildcats

LEE, Mass. -- The Lee girls' basketball team was missing its best player in its game against Hoosac Valley on Thursday night. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, had their complete roster to choose from and got a great performance from one of their top players to earn a 52-38 win on the road. 

Sophomore forward Emily Rosse took advantage of the absence of the Wildcats' Stephanie Young, breaking out with a strong game in the post to help Hoosac (11-4) overcome a one-point deficit at halftime and pull away for the win in the second half. Rosse scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds while also adding four assists and five blocks.

Lee (10-5) played strong in the first half but ran out of gas during a critical third quarter in which the Hurricanes outscored the hosts 16-4. The absence of Young might have caught up to the Wildcats, who were held to just 10 points in the second half after scoring 28 points in the first two quarters of play. 

"It was a good second half and a solid win over a good Lee team," Hoosac head coach Ron Wojcik said. "We got a break when Steph Young was forced to miss the game with a shoulder injury. Lee came to play, however, and took a one-point lead at halftime. We got it going in the second half, though, and Emily just had a monster game for us." 

The 'Canes also received a solid performance from junior forward Megan Rodowicz, who contributed 14 points and six rebounds. Senior Tori Rumbolt also chipped in with six points, six steals and six boards. 

Wildcats' point guard Eileen Dooley matched Rosse with a game-high 18 points but no other Lee player scored more than seven points on the night.