Lady Dragons bounce back with dominant win

By Jeremy Hilaire
Posted 1/30/25

The Cornwall Central Dragons extended their winning streak to five games on Friday, defeating the Goshen Central Gladiators 75-60 in a commanding performance.

The Dragons (10-2) were led by a …

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Lady Dragons bounce back with dominant win

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After a narrow 60-56 loss to Beacon on Tuesday, the Cornwall Lady Dragons (9-3) rebounded in commanding fashion Friday night, overwhelming Goshen 57-20. The Dragons relied on tenacity and physicality, particularly on the glass, to secure the victory against the Gladiators (3-8).

Cornwall’s success was fueled by its relentless offensive rebounding, led by standout performances from Tessa Furst and Ana Sonko, who scored 10 and 18 points, respectively. Senior guard Karis Addison set the tone early, sinking a tough, off-balance floater through contact for Cornwall’s first points. Addison, who finished with a team-high 19 points, emphasized teamwork as the key to the win. “Feeding off my teammates and building on what they’re doing,” she said. Despite her scoring output, Addison credited the victory to the Dragons’ collective effort and unselfish play.

Cornwall’s defense was equally impressive, allowing just eight points in the first half while putting up 39 on offense. The Dragons’ defensive intensity was highlighted by Sonko’s presence in the paint, where she blocked multiple shots and forced Goshen to resort to fouling her. Cornwall capitalized on Sonko’s post dominance, repeatedly feeding her for decisive finishes near the rim.

“We always say defensively, all five to the glass, because if you’re winning rebound battles, you’ll win the game,” said Coach Daniel Lang. The Dragons embodied that philosophy, limiting Goshen to one shot per possession while generating additional scoring opportunities through offensive rebounding. Cornwall’s effort on the boards resulted in second-chance points and trips to the free-throw line, helping extend their lead to 49-11 by the end of the third quarter.

The Dragons also displayed resilience and toughness throughout the game. Junior Jingwa Fonkem epitomized that grit, returning to play stifling defense after taking a hard fall late in the fourth quarter. Cornwall’s consistency in rebounding, ball movement, and scoring in the paint carried them to a dominant 37-point win.

Looking ahead, the Lady Dragons will face Washingtonville before hosting Beacon in a rematch. “It’s win number 10 on the year. Celebrate tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work, one day at a time,” Lang said.

While pleased with the team’s effort, Lang noted areas for improvement, including better offensive execution and setting stronger screens. Addison echoed the sentiment, pointing to passing as another area to refine in practice.

The Lady Dragons’ combination of grit, teamwork, and dominance on both ends of the court has them poised for continued success as they approach the season’s second half.