Prep Report: South crushes Baker 56-11

YUNET JOMOLCA South Fort Myers senior Emily Cattanach goes for a shot as Baker senior Jaclynn Smith and junior Cheyanne Ross defend. More photos from Friday’s game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
The Ida Baker girls’ basketball team didn’t deliver the kind of offensive performance needed to keep pace with the South Fort Myers Wolfpack Friday night.
There were plenty of defensive lapses, too.
Like they’ve done all season, though, the Bulldogs continue to push forward, despite their lopsided 56-11 loss.
“They’re a good team. They take care of the ball and work the ball around for good shots,” Baker coach Craig Witte said of South (16-1). “There were times when we could barely get the ball across halfcourt.”
Baker is in its fourth season competing in varsity basketball. It’s been a frustrating one, given the lack of interest in the sport.

YUNET JOMOLCA Baker senior Katelyn Powmesamy battles with South Fort Myers freshman Mallory Motycka for the ball in Friday’s game. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
The Bulldogs made gradual improvements in each of their first three seasons, but were forced to drop the junior varsity program this season due to low participation.
They have 15 players total, ranging from freshmen to seniors.
“It’s very disappointing,” Witte said, “because some of the girls who are sitting the bench (on varsity) should be playing JV. They don’t get enough minutes here.”
“You can’t make them play,” he added, “so we just take what we got and keep working day by day.”
The Bulldogs (5-11) have had their share of success this season, Friday night not withstanding. South, which is one of the better programs in the area, dominated the game from start to finish.

YUNET JOMOLCA Baker sophomore Jackie Sanchez (4) dribbles against South Fort Myers senior Myekia Sharp Friday. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
It was 8-4 midway through the first quarter, but the Bulldogs went on a long offensive drought that lasted until sophomore Shanelly Brown sank a free throw with 10 seconds left in the half. By that time, the Wolfpack had opened up a 35-5 lead.
During the rough second quarter, the Wolfpack used a variety of trapping defenses and the Bulldogs were unable to work the ball around for good shots.
“We had way too many turnovers,” Witte said. “You have to take care of the ball and work together. We had too much one-on-one.”
The Bulldogs started stronger in the third quarter. Senior Jessica Osegueda stole the ball and converted a layup and the Bulldogs defense held South without a basket until the 4:30 mark of the quarter.
The Wolfpack went on a 13-0 run after that, extending the lead to 48-7.

YUNET JOMOLCA Baker’s Jaclynn Smith (42) contests for the ball with South Fort Myers junior Courtney Snowden Friday night. More photos from the Bulldogs’ 56-11 loss are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
Senior Madison Wagner led South with 18 points and senior Emily Cattanach buried three three-pointers, finishing with 14.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs scored a pair of baskets. Senior Brooke Bursiek hit a driving layup to finish with four points. Osegueda added her second basket to finish with four.
The Bulldogs are off until Jan. 17.
South FM 17 18 13 8 – 56
Ida Baker 4 1 2 4 – 11
South FM (56) – Talford 10, Cattanach 14, Wagner 18, Snowden 2, Donis 3, Motycka 3, Weatherbee 6. Totals: 22 9-13 56.
3-point goals: Cattanach 3.
Ida Baker (11) – Bursiek 4, Ross 2, Osegueda 4, Brown 1. Totals: 5 1-4 11.
Boys Basketball
Gainesville Williston 55, Cape Coral 45: Though the host Seahawks lost for the second consecutive night, coach Mark Rinehart was pleased with his team’s effort against one of the top-ranked teams in Class 3A.
The Seahawks remained within striking distance, but Williston’s defense was the difference in a 10-point victory at “The Nest.”
“I thought we played pretty well. I was proud of them,” Rinehart said. “(Williston) is really good, especially on defense. They don’t let you breathe.”
Junior Joel Hill led the Seahawks with 16 points and senior Cameron Hall chipped in with 13.
The Seahawks (10-4) host Sarasota in the Cape Shootout Saturday. Williston (12-4) plays Bishop Verot in the shootout and Ida Baker takes on Palm Beach Wellington.
Williston 19 13 11 12 – 55
Cape Coral 13 10 9 12 – 45
Williston (55) – Floyd 13, Welch 10, King 12, Edwards 2, Glenn 3, James 2, Hunt 8, Coleman 3, Mentor 2. Totals: 24 2-6 55. 3-point goals: King 3, Coleman 1.
Cape Coral (45) – Roldan 3, Hall 13, Carter 1, McIntyre 4, Hill 16, Monteagudo 5, Tavarez 3. Totals: 16 11-16 45. 3-point goals: Hill 1, Monteagudo 1.
Miami Coral Reef 63, Bishop Verot 60: Etienne Effenberg scored a game-high 21 points, but Bishop Verot lost to Miami Coral Reef (13-2) by three points in the Martin Luther King Jr. Stop the Violence Classic in Miami.
Brennen Melvin tallied 16 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Vikings (9-6). Jacquard Hagan knocked down two three-pointers and finished with 13.
The Vikings face Gainesville Williston at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Cape Coral Shootout.
Miami Coral Reef 11 17 24 11 – 63
Bishop Verot 12 16 14 18 – 60
Coral Reef (63) – Vickers 2, Granberry 16, Lopez 17, Palmer 3, Rivas 3, Hankerson 18, Saunders 4. Totals: 18 23-29 63. 3-point goals: Granberry 2, Lopez 1, Rivas 1.
Bishop Verot (60) – Melvin 16, Kane 2, Hagan 13, Sandoval 2, Howard 6, Effenberg 21. Totals: 24 7-11 60. 3-point goals: Hagan 2, Howard 2, Melvin 1.
Barron Collier 60, North Fort Myers 35: Barron Collier improved to 13-3 with a victory over North Fort Myers.
Deion Clark led the Cougars with 17 points.
Barron Collier9 17 16 18 – 60
North Ft. Myers9 4 11 11 – 35
BARRON COLLIER (60) – Clark 8 0-0 17, Gonzalez 3 4-4 10, Nealon 1 1-2 3, Landers 2 1-2 5, H. Hayes 2 0-0 6, Sanchez 5 1-1 13, Humphrey 1 0-0 2, Schmitt 1 2-4 4. Totals 23 9-13 60.
3-point goals: Clark 1, H. Hayes 2, Sanchez 2.
NORTH FORT MYERS (35) – Murphy 0 9-12 9, Melrose 1 0-0 2, Wilson 1 5-8 7, Boston 2 0-0 5, Harrison 1 0-0 2, Guerrero 1 0-0 2, Granderson 1 0-0 2, Carson 1 2-2 4, Joseph 1 0-0 2. Totals 8 16-22 35.
Boys Soccer
Bishop Verot 2, Golden Gate 0: Chris Singleton had an outstanding defensive game for Bishop Verot in a shutout win over Golden Gate.
Singleton added two assists, while goalkeeper Lucas Polk made eight saves to preserve the shutout.
Will Goss and Andrew Palumbo scored goals for the Vikings (11-4), who return to action Monday when they host ECS.
Girls Soccer
Barron Collier 3, North Fort Myers 1: Briana Abatisti made 10 saves and had a stellar game in goal, but the Red Knights lost at Barron Collier.
North’s Mariah Fernandez scored in the first half on an assist from Ashley LaPierre, but with the score tied 1-1, the Cougars scored two second-half goals.
North (9-10) hosts an LCAC crossover match next Friday.
- YUNET JOMOLCA Baker senior Katelyn Powmesamy battles with South Fort Myers freshman Mallory Motycka for the ball in Friday’s game. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
- YUNET JOMOLCA Baker sophomore Jackie Sanchez (4) dribbles against South Fort Myers senior Myekia Sharp Friday. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
- YUNET JOMOLCA Baker’s Jaclynn Smith (42) contests for the ball with South Fort Myers junior Courtney Snowden Friday night. More photos from the Bulldogs’ 56-11 loss are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.