Spicer makes quick study

BUFFALO — The Empire State Games are going pretty well for Adriana Spicer.

She and her Central scholastic women's basketball teammates are undefeated, and, more importantly, one step away from a gold medal.

Central had its least productive game of the tournament Saturday, but managed to earn a 51-43 victory over Western at Niagara University on Saturday.

Eight of Central's 10 players scored for Central, which plays against Hudson Valley, also 3-0, at 10 a.m. today for the gold. Ashley Cianfriglia (Syracuse) led the way with 15 points.

"Everybody is making a difference on this team," said Spicer, who averaged 11.0 points in the first two games of the tournament. "There's no one person that does everything."

Spicer turned in just two points Saturday, on a dribble drive that ended with a virtually unchallenged layup.

In some ways, the Immaculate Heart Central senior is a loner as she experiences the Empire State Games for the first time. She said didn't know any of her nine teammates before tryouts began earlier in the summer.

But part of what makes the games unique is that unfamiliarity kind of comes with the territory, as Spicer competed for a roster spot against athletes from as far south as Binghamton.

Watertown High junior-to-be Dustin Pond is in the same situation on the Central scholastic men's squad, but each has blended well with their teammates in their quests for a medal.

"I was nervous not knowing what to expect with a new group of girls," Spicer said.

Central overcame a pair of scoring droughts as it secured at least second place by beating Western.

Spicer's score in the first half was Central's first in a span that eclipsed 10 minutes, and Western put together a 14-0 run to take a brief, 33-30 advantage with about eight minutes to play.

Emily Brophy paced Western with 11 points.

Spicer said she hasn't decided whether to pursue basketball or soccer after high school, and that wrapped up in all the fun the Empire Games provide, is the knowledge that potential future coaches are watching. To her, that was part of the allure of coming to Buffalo.

"There's a little pressure knowing there's a lot of college coaches here," she said. "I'd like to be noticed."