Section 2 Class C Playoff Opening Round Recap

The opening round of the Section 2 Class C playoffs is in the books. There were no big upsets as chalk prevailed. However, there were some outstanding individual performances. Greenwich and Stillwater, who have split a pair of games this season and met in last year's championship game, are still the favorites after beginning their journeys with dominating wins. No. 3 Berne-Knox-Westerlo, No. 4 Mayfield, and No. 5 Whitehall are hoping they can upset the applecart. Here is a recap of some of the preliminary round top performers.    Greenwich is the top seed in Class C, and [player_tooltip player_id='878886' first='Brooke' last='Kuzmich'] and her teammates are looking to avenge a loss to No. 2 Stillwater in last year's final. The Witches opened the playoffs with a convincing 88-29 victory over Kipp Capital Region Charter. Kuzmich paced the Greenwich three-headed monster that scored a combined 77 points. Kuzmich poured in 29 points to lead her team. Kuzmich is averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and six assists per game in leading Greenwich to a 20-1 mark. Kuzmich is a great shooter, especially from 3-point range. She is a solid ballhandler who can beat defenders off the dribble to score or distribute the ball. Her command of the Greenwich offense will be a major factor in how deep her team goes in the playoffs.     Bailee Wolfe and her twin sister Jordan will also be important contributors in Greenwich's run toward a Class C state crown. Bailee's playoffs got off to a great start as she pumped in 23 points in the win over Kipp Capital Region Charter for the No. 1-seeded Witches. Wolfe averages 14 points per game, but is capable of having huge nights. Bailee can score at all three levels. She can step out and hit the 3-point shot, connect in the midrange, or score off the dribble. Like her sister, Bailee is also a solid defender and rebounder. The Wolfe twins helping [player_tooltip player_id='878886' first='Brooke' last='Kuzmich'] with the scoring load will be critical if Greenwich wants to wear the Class C state crown.     Not to be outdone by her sister, [player_tooltip player_id='866546' first='Jordan' last='Wolfe'] scored 25 points in Greenwich's opening-round win over Kipp Capital Region Charter. Jordan is a major force in the paint for the Witches. She is a strong finisher around the basket and very difficult to contain on the block. Jordan can shoot from behind the arc and must be respected by the defense when she steps outside. One of Jordan's strengths is her seasoned footwork in the post. She is a sound post defender and a very good rebounder. Her presence in the lane will be a key factor in her team's playoff run.     [player_tooltip player_id='1137259' first='Brianna' last='Iannuzzi'] is one of the best small-school scorers in Section 2, and she had the entire arsenal on display in Mayfield's 68-42 win over Cambridge in the Class C opening round. Iannuzzi scored 33 points in the win for the Panthers. She connected on five 3-pointers, six two-point field goals, and was 6 of 11 from the foul line. Iannuzzi filled up the stat sheet with eight rebounds, three assists, and six steals. Iannuzzi averages 20 points a night. Mayfield will need every one of them if they advance to challenge Greenwich and Stillwater. The No. 4 Panthers get a rematch with No. 5 Whitehall in the quarterfinals. Mayfield won the regular-season meeting 40-35.     Addison Thornton led second-seeded Stillwater to a dominating 84-16 first-round win over Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons in Section 2 Class C girls' play. Thornton netted 34 points, connecting on six 3-pointers. A junior, Thornton averages 21 points, four rebounds, and three steals a contest. She was recently named a News Channel 13 all-star. Thornton contributes to the Warriors' winning in a variety of ways. She has an unlimited range from behind the arc and has a potent step-back jumper. Thornton is a strong ballhandler and can beat defenders off the dribble with both hands. She will play a major role if Stillwater is to repeat as sectional champions and make a deep run in the state tournament.     Molly Shaver of Berne-Knox-Westerlo is just a freshman, but is experienced beyond her years. Shaver is in her third season on the varsity for the No. 3 Bulldogs and will have to fashion huge performances if her team is going to upset Greenwich or Stillwater. Shaver got off to an electric start in the Class C playoff opening round, netting 26 points in a win over Schoharie. She is an outstanding 3-point shooter who can score from anywhere on the floor. Shaver is considered a rising star, but she may have already arrived. Next up for Shaver and her team is No. 6 Lake George in the quarterfinals.

The opening round of the Section 2 Class C playoffs is in the books. There were no big upsets as chalk prevailed. However, there were some outstanding individual performances. Greenwich and Stillwater, who have split a pair of games this season and met in last year's championship game, are still the favorites after beginning their journeys with dominating wins. No. 3 Berne-Knox-Westerlo, No. 4 Mayfield, and No. 5 Whitehall are hoping they can upset the applecart. Here is a recap of some of the preliminary round top performers.