Eagles Top Warriors

If you didn’t notice it during the game it became crystal clear when you read the score book. Jayla James and Sydney Turley stole the show.

The senior duo accounted for all but two of their team’s points as Cleveland-Hill beat Tonawanda 40-25 in ECIC IV girls basketball action that was played Cleveland Hill High School, Friday night.

The victory lifts the Eagles to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in league.

Working in perfect rhythm, James (16 points), the Eagles point guard, was either dishing perfect passes to Turley (22 points), who moved to the basket with a complete blend of power and skill, she was dropping shots of her own.

Both hustled back on defense and battled hard against a tough and scrappy Lady Warriors squad that wouldn’t go away.

With eight underclassmen on the roster Turley said that she, James and other captain Kathryn Skorka do their best each day to shoulder the pressure so the youth of the team can learn at a good pace and not feel overwhelmed.

“Because me and Jayla have been playing together for a couple of years already we kind of have that chemistry together, ” Sydney Turley said.

“Since there’s a lot of new, younger girls that came onto the team this year I feel like they’ve become focused now that me, Jayla and Kat, our other captain, are kind of leading them. If we keep them focused and working hard they’ll follow through with us.”

Turley completed a pair of three-point plays in the final four minutes of the third to give the Eagles a 38-25 lead.

Tonawanda (4-2,1-1), which just came off a heartstopping win over Eden on Tuesday, was led by senior Haley Schoelerman who had nine points and six rebounds.

Quick and athletic, the Warriors didn’t pack it in. On this night they just didn’t have an answer on how to stop Turley and James.

“They’re two good ball players, but we cut it to five for a while. Kept it within seven for a while,” Tonawanda coach Jay Hall said.

“Everyone got to play and no one quit. So I’m happy with that.”

Cleveland Hill coach Kristin Wegrzyn said Turley and James have been stand up leaders from day one.

“Sydney and Jayla are two really good role models for the girls,” Wegrzyn said.

“Not only on the court (in games) but off the court, in practices.” Amani Scott scored the other Eagles bucket.

Alicia Farrell had eight rebounds for Tonawanda and Hope Balling had three steals.