Frewsburg's Jadyn Trocki fakes out a Keshequa defender in the first half of the Class C Far West Regional at Buffalo State Sports Arena on Saturday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

BUFFALO — The Frewsburg girls basketball team reached the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships for the first time in program history last year and this season the Bears have been on a mission to get back there.

After getting through a tough Section VI tournament, the Bears had one more obstacle in the way which was the state’s top-ranked Class C team in Section V’s Keshequa.

For the Bears who started the season atop the rankings they showed it was barely an obstacle as they began the Class C Far West Regional at Buffalo State Sports Arena with a 12-0 run and never looked back en route to a 58-44 victory on Saturday.

“It means a lot,” Frewsburg head coach Sierra Beaver said about returning to states. “This group has played together for a long time, they’re probably the hardest working group I’ve ever worked with. They do whatever I ask of them and so to see them rewarded with that opportunity is a lot of fun.”

Keshequa got itself on the board at the free throw line and trailed 19-10 after the first quarter, but it was when Frewsburg starting hitting shots from long range that they began to pull away. In the second quarter, in nearly three consecutive possessions Frewsburg received a 3-pointer from Teghan Trocki, Taytum Jimerson and then Jadyn Trocki.

Frewsburg's Ava Jimerson drives the basket during the Class C Far West Regional at Buffalo State Sports Arena on Saturday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

“We work on being able to get to the rim, mid-range jumpers and shooting the three,” Beaver said about the versatility of the offense. “We talk about just take what the defense gives you. If you have a lane to drive, go, if you don’t have a look find someone that does. Just don’t play selfish and work the ball.”

Frewsburg first established its 20-point lead in the second and even with a whole half to play the pressure was really on Keshequa to come up with an answer. The Indians managed just three field goals in the period and by halftime the score was 34-17.

“Our team is so successful because we have five kids who can score,” Jadyn Trocki said. “It’s so cool how unselfish we are and I think that’s what helps us win.”

Frewsburg’s hot start was captivated by the entire building and even set off the fire alarm at the Buffalo State Sports Arena, causing what amounted to be roughly a five-minute break in the third quarter which even saw several fans begin to evacuate before the alarm finished.

“It adds a little more excitement to the win,” Beaver said about the fire alarm going off during the game.

The Frewsburg girls basketball team celebrates defeating Section V's Keshequa 58-44 in the Class C Far West Regional at the Buffalo State Sports Arena on Saturday. P-J photo by Christian Storms

Keshequa came out stronger in the second half, but the Bears were still too much for them defensively and anytime it looked like the Indians were going to chip away the lead Frewsburg would get a basket.

“They had a couple of players that are generally their focus,” Beaver said about the defensive gameplan. “We practiced how we’re going to get through their screens… But playing team defense, somebody gets beat the next person steps up and helps that person too.”

The Indians started the final quarter on an 8-2 run and Frewsburg took its first timeout with 4:22 remaining holding a 49-37 lead. Then just when Keshequa thought it might be getting back into the game, Frewsburg resumed play after the timeout with another three-pointer from Teghan Trocki, showing there would be no comeback.

“We play as a team as much as we can,” Teghan Trocki said. “We know we all have to score in order to win, so we play for each other, it’s not just one person scoring all the time.”

Teghan Trocki finished with a game-high 18 points, six boards and a block, Jadyn Trocki had 10 points, five rebounds, six steals, six assists and two blocks, Ava Jimerson scored 10 with seven boards and four assists and Abery Harvey had five rebounds. While Keshequa just had one scorer reach double digits with Braelynn Isaman scoring 17.

“We always talk about if we’re a one-dimensional team we’re easy to defend,” Beaver said. “So we pride ourselves on having a lot of people who can score all the time. It’s hard to stop five people who can score in double figures.”

Frewsburg closed out the game 58-44 and clinched its second trip to states in program history.

“The first time you do anything is always nerveracking,” Beaver said. “Last year we got there and you walk out onto that court and there’s all the cameras. It’s tough mentally to not get nervous, but I think this time we’ll be a little bit more calmed, we know what to expect.”

Last year was the first trip for all of the Frewsburg girls to states, but now they return determined and experienced.

“We worked hard all year in order to get to this point,” Teghan Trocki said about getting back to states.

“I feel like this is a really big year for us,” Jadyn Trocki added. “We have a bunch of seniors on the team so I feel like this is our year to do it.”

KESHEQUA (44)

Thayer 0 0 0, BBenner 2 0 4, Isaman 6 4 17, RBenner 3 0 7, Nageldinger 4 0 8, AlWood 3 2 8, AbWood 0 0 0, Powers 0 0 0. Totals 18 6 44.

FREWSBURG (58)

JTrocki 4 1 10, JTrocki 7 0 18, JJimerson 0 0 0, TJimerson 2 4 9, Cappa 1 0 2, Reagle 0 0 0, Harvey 4 1 9, AJimerson 1 8 10, Gruber 0 0 0, Haglund 0 0 0. Totals 19 14 58.

3-point goals–Isaman, RBenner, JTrocki, TTrocki 4, TJimerson.

Keshequa 10 7 10 17 — 44

Frewsburg 19 15 13 11 — 58