Braves Start Slow Again in Loss to Warriors

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Taconic girls' basketball team should feel good about the way it played in the second half against Wahconah on Tuesday night. The thing the Braves will probably remember the most, however, is a poor performance in the first half in which they scored just four points on the way to a 48-37 loss at home. 

Taconic (1-6) has been struggling with slow starts as of late, and its offense has disappeared for at least one quarter in each game. The Braves had two of those quarters on Tuesday, though, scoring just two points each in both the first and second quarters. The Warriors (3-5) took full advantage, opening up a 26-4 lead at halftime before fighting off a resilient Taconic team in the second half. 

"We were able to get off to a great start, holding Taconic to only four points in the first half," Wahconah head coach June Blake said. "The second half was much different, though, with Taconic taking advantage of their offensive opportunities. They knocked down 12 baskets, including three 3-pointers. We were fortunate to be able to hold them off and hang on for the win."

The Braves outscored the Warriors 33-22 in the second half, but the hole they needed to climb out of was just way too deep. Junior center Nyanna Slaughter paced Taconic's offense with 10 points and seven rebounds, while classmate Kirsten McNeice sank a pair of threes to finish with 10 points and three assists. 

Wahconah senior Gabby Lavinio led all scorers with a 15-point, seven-rebound, four-assist outing. She also received help from senior center Shannon Lussier, who posted 12 points and five boards. Sophomores Maddie Sprague and Katherine Lewis each chipped in with nine points apiece. 

The Braves next host city rival Pittsfield at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Warriors first play at Lee at the same time on Thursday.