LIVINGSTON MANOR – It is an undisputed fact that the level of play evinced by basketball teams at the outset of the season bears little relation to that deployed as the season nears its end. Thus, games in the early going of the winter could be aptly described as works in progress. 

Such was the case of the first meeting this year between the Class C Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs and the Class D Livingston Manor Lady Wildcats. With Manor Coach Maggi Fitzpatrick and Sullivan West Coach Pat Donovan fervidly shouting directions, it was clear that a lot has to be established before either team can put forth its best on the hardwood. 

The Lady Westies jumped out to a 15-6 lead by the end of the first quarter but managed to score only seven points in the second frame, the same number put up by Manor. The paltry amount of scoring continued in the second half with SW garnering only six more points in each of the remaining quarters. Manor managed to score only five in the third and four in the fourth. 

In short, fundamentals including defensive roles, passing and shooting all need a lot more practice. For Manor (0-5) and Sullivan West (2-0) there is much more work to be done. 

Manor’s Mackenzie Carlson led all scorers with 17 points accounting for 77 percent of the Lady Wildcats’ scoring. Felicity Bauernfeind tallied eight points for Sullivan West, while Karlee Diehl posted seven. 

Donovan noted, “Both teams played tough. We saw some things that have to be corrected but are very fixable.” 

Sullivan West travels to Roscoe tonight for another non-league fray (weather permitting). On December 21 the Lady Bulldogs will visit S.S. Seward for their first league game of the season. 

The Lady Wildcats were scheduled to visit Liberty last night and then travel to Tri-Valley tonight. They play at Seward on December 19.