Pittsford girls basketball revival doesn't take long thanks to star player, coach's return
PITTSFORD — While it was unexpected for Pittsford girls basketball to match its past success under the return of coach Chris Hodos, the Wildcats won big this winter because of the years of building blocks that were laid during his first tenure.
The first year back for two-time, state title-winning coach ended with two major milestones and a 23-1 record. This included the team's fourth straight SCAA East title and a Pat Patterson Pool B championship trophy.
The team had an undefeated regular season at 22-0, including 18 wins by double digits. This was its first undefeated regular season since 2018.
They also earned a trip to the Division 4, District 120 title game. The Wildcats ultimately fell short, falling to Reading in a 29-23 final. In her final game, senior Ava Mallar scored 13 of the team's 23 points. This included a nine-point fourth quarter that brought the Wildcats within a point in the closing minutes.
At the end of the season, three seniors paid their farewells to the program, including Mallar, Riley McCumber and Savannah Watkins.
"They play so stinking hard," Hodos said of his team and seniors. "I've known Ava Mallar since she was a baby. Since she could walk, she'd be on her driveway out there dribbling, having fun and getting better. Riley, she's more of a runner but we needed her this year, and she played well. Savannah took last year off and came back (to the program). They did everything they needed to do (to win a district); we just didn't make baskets."
The program brought an entire community of supporters to nearly every away game this season.
"I always say it takes a village, and it does. We have a great one in Pittsford," Hodos said. "I grew up there my whole life. I'm proud to be from Pittsford and proud to be coaching these girls again. I can't ask for more."
Mallar ended with 413 points, averaging 18 per game, and 131 steals, 5.4 per game. Mallar shot 41.3-percent from the field and 62-percent from the free throw line.
Now the senior heads to Grand Valley State in the fall all over the Pittsford record book.
She's the program leader for most points in a single game and most 3s in a single game. Mallar ended up with 1,616 career points, placing her in the top three all-time behind Maddie Clark (1,845) and Jayci Burger (1,817). She finished second in steals. The senior was an all-state first team honoree last season and will likely be that again soon.
Together, McCumber and Mallar helped lead the Wildcats girls basketball team to four straight conference championships.
"I've been playing with Riley McCumber since I was, like, eight years old," Mallar said. "We've been playing basketball through it all. We've been friends through it all. So, it's really sad that (the district final) was our last day, but I wouldn't have changed anything. It was a great year. It sucks it ended like this, but I couldn't have asked for better fans and better teammates."
The program had several marquee wins this season, including their Pat Patterson Pool B title wins over Waldron and Camden-Frontier. The team had big non-conference wins over Saline Washtenaw Christian and Colon.
The team returns plenty of talent for next winter, led by junior Laura LeMar, who scored 165 points and was second on the team in rebounds. Other key returning members from the junior class include Gabby Adams, Kaylee Lawson, Anna Newell and Mayci Revers.
A couple of freshmen found themselves in big roles this season. Alexis Bryner was first on the team in field goal percentage (52.3) and rebounds (153) while averaging 5.9 points per game. Other key freshmen expected back are Tania Williams, Karmin Butler, Brielle Clark and Madison Pickford.
"I'm excited about this summer," Hodos said. "Here in a couple weeks, I'll have a meeting and get my organization going. We'll play a lot in the summer, and we'll play the whole month of June ... We'll get better. I think we will be good next year."
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Pittsford girls basketball goes 23-1 in return of coach Chris Hodos
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