Spackenkill’s Katherine Lillis, right, tries to pass to a teammate while FDR’s Talyce Lipinski, left, defends during a Holiday Classic game held in Pine Plains.
FDR’s Kelsey Demelis, right, looks for an open shot while Spackenkill’s Christina Hartenfels, left, defends during a Holiday Classic game held in Pine Plains.
Eliminating turnovers always helps. The Spackenkill High School girls basketball team can confirm.
The Spartans, playing in the Holiday Classic at Stissing Mountain High School in Pine Plains on Monday, beat Franklin D. Roosevelt, 41-26.
Spackenkill’s Olivia Zykoff throws the ball up to the net during a Holiday Classic game against FDR held in Pine Plains.
In the second quarter, Spackenkill outscored the Presidents 20-5 — which made the difference, Spartans coach Don Neise said.
“Just by taking care of the basketball and good outside shooting we were able to mount a lead and stay with it in the second half,” Neise said. “I think we were trying to force things. We cut down the turnovers and that led us to a lead at halftime.”
The Spartans led 24-14 after the first 16 minutes. Nina Hartenfels paced Spackenkill with 17 points, and was able to overcome Roosevelt’s defense.
“Roosevelt did a really nice job trying to chase her around,” Neise said of Hartenfels. “We did a nice job freeing her up a couple times and she made them pay. Her shot was on.”
Issy Herrera added nine points for Spackenkill while Katie Lillis contributed five assists, eight rebounds and two points.
Spackenkill’s Bailey Riley, center, goes for a layup while FDR’s Kamryn Hammond, left, and Sara Miller, right, defend during a Holiday Classic game held in Pine Plains.
Kelsea Demelis led Roosevelt with 10 points. Teammate Katey DeWitt added six.
Roosevelt will play on in the tournament and face Millbrook at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at Spackenkill. Spackenkill (4-2) will host Highland in its next tournament game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“Highland is a quality team,” Neise added. “We’re looking forward to the challenge and excited about the holiday tournament being at our place.”
A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports