Defense Leads Spartans in 2023-24
A strong defense and team-first attitude guided Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball to double-digit wins this season.
Despite not competing in 2022-23 and fielding a roster all playing in their first collegiate basketball season, the Spartans rallied from an 0-3 start to finish 10-15, including a 6-8 mark in Mid-State Athletic Conference play.
"I can't say enough about how proud I am of this team," said Coach Jim Alberici. "It was so fun to be a part of, because they cared about each other and did things the right way. They worked hard at practice, they rooted for each other, they came to play each game. This was a great year, coming off a season when we didn't play."
The Spartans started the season slowly, losing their first three games before earning a road win over Division II's Erie Community College. A three-game winning streak pulled them to 4-4, highlighted by a close home win over Corning Community College.
Cayuga closed the regular season winning two of their final three games, including a 14-point home win over Division II foe Monroe Community College.
Their 6-8 conference record, good for third in the MSAC, and 7-11 Region III record (eighth place) earned them two postseason births. They fell to Jefferson Community College in the conference tournament, before facing the Cannoneers again one week later in the Region III tourney.
The Spartans saved their best game for last, leading for three quarters in the Region III Quarterfinals against regular season champ Jefferson. After the Cannoneers claimed the lead in the final quarter, the Spartans rallied to force overtime, where they lost 75-70.
Alberici said it was their best performance of the season, and indicative of their attitude and determination.
"It was a tribute to them and how they played all year. We'd lost to Jefferson three times, and to go to their home court and outplay them for almost the whole game, was really incredible," said Alberici. "When Jefferson took the lead in the fourth, a lot of teams would have quit. But we fought back and tied it and forced overtime. To me, the way we fought through that, it was outstanding."
Cayuga's defense led the team all season. Three times the Spartans held teams to fewer than 30 points, and four times held the team to fewer than 45.
On the offensive end, Haley Mosch led Cayuga with more than 13 points and seven rebounds per game. Lamontiona Johnson (11 points and seven rebounds per game) and Avrey Colton (10 points, six rebounds and a team-high four assists per game) were the other two Spartans to average in double figures.
All three earned MSAC honors, with Mosch named to the second-team, Johnson to the third-team and Colton an honorable mention.
Colton and Maddy Weed (eight points, four rebounds per game) were the only two sophomores on Cayuga, leaving the team to have an experienced roster returning in 2024-25.
"We're going to miss them tremendously," Alberici said of Colton and Weed. "I can't thank them enough for their commitment to the program. They stayed with us after we didn't play last year, and came back this year and worked hard and led by example. They provided tremendous leadership for our freshmen."
Along with Mosch and Johnson, Cayuga will also return starting point guard Lexi Alberici, forward Madison Auxier (12 starts), Savanna Murray and Jessmarie Ruiz.
"I can't be more excited about next year. We have six players returning, all of whom played important minutes for us this year," said Alberici. "Two days after this season ended, they were back in the gym trying to get better. We'll be a lot further ahead this coming September than we were last year."