Sherman defeated Brocton 84-13 in Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 action Monday, wrapping up the league title with an unblemished 14-0 record and sporting an 18-1 record overall heading into its final regular-season game.

“One of our goals is to get a little better every day and make sure we get better at something every game,” Sherman head coach Emily Eckwahl said. “I think that’s helped our girls keep their focus throughout a really long season and I couldn’t be prouder of them. I’m just so excited they’re having so much fun.”

The Wildcats defeated the Bulldogs by a significant margin, something they have gotten used to over the season, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had to close out a couple of close games. Over the course of the season, Sherman has had to hold off Maple Grove 50-38, Westfield 46-40 and defending sectional-champion Panama 58-52.

“You can take something away from every game and we’ve certainly had our share of challenges,” Eckwahl stated. “It’s cool to see how the girls are going to respond in those different scenarios.”

Sherman senior Kelsey Wagner drives past Brocton's Haylee Carlton during CCAA D2 action on Monday. Wagner lead the Wildcats in points and assists this season. P-J photo by Christian Storms

“While we had our four seniors tonight, we have a lot of young blood on our team that getting them in those moments is really key to being able to do what we want to later on in the season,” Eckwahl added.

The only team to get the better of Sherman is Cassadaga Valley. In that game, the Wildcats had a slow start they could not recover from en route to losing 73-55.

“That was a huge accountability moment for us and I’d say we learned more from that loss than any win all season,” Eckwahl said. “You either respond and make the changes or you’re stuck and you don’t want to be stuck. The girls were really all ears and open to taking any sort of polishing they needed and, hopefully, we can keep it moving in the right direction.”

With its only loss coming during the nonleague schedule, Sherman also has picked up some strong wins out of the league, including beating Class B’s state-ranked Southwestern 52-34. Wins like that have positioned the Wildcats firmly near the top of the Class D rankings, holding down the No. 4 spot for five weeks.

“It’s always a fun thing to be in the conversation, but you always wonder where these numbers come from,” Eckwahl said about the rankings. “It’s nice to be noticed, but also we know that it means nothing unless we show up and win the games that we need to.”

Sherman senior Teagan Gratto puts up a shot ahead of Brocton's Bri Newell during CCAA D2 action on Monday. Gratto is second in rebounds and steals for the Wildcats this season. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Sherman will finish its regular season Thursday when it travels to Southwestern for a rematch, but that is far from the end of the road as far as the Wildcats’ goals are concerned.

“We’re so grateful to get Southwestern on our nonleague schedule,” Eckwahl added. “They’re always a top-notch program and we know that it will always be a good game. Having Bella (Sirianni) back on the court we’re thankful for that, too, hoping to finish out a competitive game before the playoffs.”

With a two-year absence from the state tournament, the Wildcats want to get back there, and so far they have shown they have the roster to do so.

“Every year they come in with a goal of not losing that last game of the season,” Eckwahl said. “But if that’s all we focus on we lose out on a lot of important time with each other and I think our first goal is to enjoy the journey and hope the destination ends up where we want it to be.”

Kelsey Wagner and Teagan Gratto were freshmen on the 2022 Sherman squad that lost in the state championship game to Section III’s Copenhagen 47-39 and this is their final opportunity to get back there.

Sherman freshman Emmersen Crawford drives to the basket while being defended by Brocton's Makayley Nelson in CCAA Division 2 action on Monday. Crawford leads the Wildcats in rebounds and steals this season. P-J photo by Christian Storms

“Kelsey and Teagan shared the six-man spot on our state playoff-run team,” Eckwahl said about the seniors. “The other fun fact is a bunch of these young girls on our varsity team were our managers. They were handing the water bottles out, they were there for all the excitement and they got a taste for what that was about. They’ve been chomping at the bit and putting in the hours and the work. They’re just a really great group of girls that care a lot about each other and the game.”

Wagner currently leads the Wildcats in scoring and assists, while freshman Emmersen Crawford is right behind her in points and leads in rebounds and steals.

“That scoring balance and that depth is one of our strongest edges,” Eckwahl said. “Our leading scorer can change from night to night, whether we’re getting double-digits from Kelsey, Teagan or Emmersen, but you’ve got to mention Baya Oehlbeck in those numbers, too. She comes off the bench and steps up fearlessly as well. It’s hard to get all of them as many minutes as they deserve, but that’s a good problem to have.”

While those two stand out most nights on the scoresheet, the entire roster plays a big role in the team’s fast-paced defense.

“We say all the time that we can’t just have a couple girls playing hard, it takes all five girls on the court,” Eckwahl said about the defensive mentality. “Honestly, our bench as well, on the communication factor of it all. They’ve really bought into it. Defense isn’t a glamorous job, but it’s really fun and exciting when you see the plan come together and see them benefit from their teamwork on the defensive end.”

If the Wildcats are going to get back into the state tournament, a likely obstacle will be the two-time reigning Class D champion Panama, which played Sherman to a single-digit decision in the last game 58-52. In each of the last two postseasons, Panama has defeated Sherman in either the Class D semifinals or championship game.

“Panama is never a stranger to us,” Eckwahl said. “Seeing them twice during the regular season they always give us their best game and they have that playoff experience to draw from, too. They certainly are someone to keep an eye on as the next few weeks unfold.”

Sherman celebrated the four seniors — Wagner, Gratto, Kellie Christensen and Isa Kioko — prior to the win over Brocton, but beyond them are plenty of underclassmen giving a glimpse to a bright future no matter the result of this season.

“We start the girls really young with this concept of joining a tradition,” Eckwahl said. “It wasn’t a tradition that I started, it was a tradition that I was blessed to be welcomed into. I’ve played against some of these players’ moms when I was a player and these girls are just raised in a gym, and it’s a testament to the community and their families willing to put in that kind of time and travel for their girls. I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”