Lannon, Howley quick to share praise for first Vanguards win

PROSPECT PARK >> One of Sun Valley’s newest players received rave reviews from two of its senior members. even after they had a lot to do with a season-opening Vanguards victory.

Kate Lannon and Claire Howley both had positive things to say about the debut of sophomore Abby Seasock, who scored 15 points, including four 3-point field goals, to help the Vanguards claim a 45-38 win over Interboro Friday night.

“She was awesome,” said Howley, a point guard who had all six of her assists in the second half.

Seasock knocked down a trio of 3-point baskets at the start of the third quarter as the Vanguards erased an 18-15 deficit at intermission.

“It was close, so that definitely set the tone for the rest of the game,” Howley said.

Seasock, who transferred from Cardinal O’Hara, is a perfect fit on coach Frank Ridpath’s team.

“She’s helping us a lot and is working extra hard in practice,” said Lannon, who put up a very workmanlike 15 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

“She’s very enthusiastic, she’s always sarcastic and all over the place. But she’s a really good kid.”

Lannon turned her game on in the second half, too. Limited to three points on 1 of 6 shooting, Lannon was stellar after the break. She netted eight points in the final period, including the basket that put the Vanguards ahead to stay.

“I wasn’t shooting well early, so I decided, ‘Well, let’s just pass the ball,’” Lannon said. “We got some better looks. I know if I can’t shoot well, I’ll rebound. We’re a very small team and we have to be big where we can on rebounds.”

Lannon, who scored her 1,000th point during her junior season, committed to Cabrini in the fall. She will continue her basketball career as a Cavalier and pursue a degree in education.

Howley played a terrific floor game, contributing four points, three rebounds and a steal to go with her game-high six assists. She also played good defense on Interboro guard Gina McNamee, who had 10 points on 4 of 19 shooting from the field.

“Basically, we wanted to shut her down,” Howley said. “We wanted to keep her from driving, keep her to the outside.”

McNamee hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter to break a 34-all deadlock. Her 3-pointer late in regulation accounted for the Bucs’ only field goal of the fourth quarter.

Madison Diehl poured in 11 points, while Marta Walewski added four points and a team-leading 11 rebounds for Interboro. Amanda Floyd netted 10 points.

Maddie Michael chipped in with four points, four rebounds and a team-high three steals for Sun Valley, which is looking forward to an enjoyable season after posting only eight wins last winter.

“We’re really focused on chemistry this year, passing well and being more together as a team,” Lannon said. “Right now it’s paying off. We worked really hard in the fall, played in some tournaments. It’s really helping us.”