Times Observer photo by Matt Spielman
Warren’s Peyton Wotorson uses a screen from teammate Tori Solberg to get to the basket during Friday’s game against Clarence (N.Y.) in the Frewsburg Holiday Tournament at Frewsburg (N.Y.) Middle/High School.

FREWSBURG, N.Y. — Tori Solberg connected on both free throws with 2.8 seconds left and Warren’s girls basketball team held on for a 56-54 win over Clarence (N.Y.) on Friday in the Frewsburg Holiday Tournament at Frewsburg Middle/High School.

The Dragons (4-4) fell behind early as Allison Glaude and Vivianna Hallam had 3-pointers and seven points apiece in Clarence’s 21-15 first quarter.

Solberg made six of seven free throws in the first half and Warren cut the lead to 33-28 by halftime.

Alyssa Farr and Alana Stuart had five points apiece in Warren’s 14-11 third quarter to cut the deficit to two points.

Emma Roell had four of her five points and Peyton Wotorson seven of her game-high 20 in the deciding fourth.

Tied at 51-51, Wotorson sank two free throws and Stuart later made one of two to give the Dragons a three-point lead.

“They were able to hit an open ‘3’ with about a minute left, and then it was a battle until Tori put us up by two with her two free throws with 2.8 seconds left,” said Warren coach Jenny Phillips.

Clarence’s one-hand heave missed at the buzzer. Warren advances to play host Frewsburg in the varsity championship at 6 p.m. today.

“I felt like every time we made a stride to get within three or four, Clarence had an answer for us on the other end,” said Phillips. “I just stressed to the girls that we need to play one possession at a time and make sure to get stops on the defensive end. It definitely says a lot about the girls that they fought ’til the end and never gave up.”

“Tori Solberg made some really clutch free throws with 2.8 seconds left that put us ahead. The solid defense in those final seconds was just what we needed to close that game. It was also nice to have Alana back (from injury),” Phillips continued. “She brings something to the floor that the girls look to, and she gave us great minutes. Our chemistry is still being worked through. It’s hard to have lost Emily (Davidson) and Alana so early in the season; getting Emily back was nice and now to have Alana, I feel like we can work through that again. Tori was a great addition to our starting five while others healed and she will continue to be a pretty big part moving forward.

“Alyssa Farr did a phenomenal job again on their best player, their point guard,” added Phillips. “She really frustrated her and made her make some mistakes.”

Stuart finished with 11 points for Warren with Farr and Solberg at 10 apiece.

Zoe Rodgers had 10 points and Abby Roell and Emma Gray 7 apiece as Warren’s junior varsity girls basketball team defeated Frewsburg 46-17.

Warren advanced to the junior varsity championship game at 2 p.m. today against Clarence.

WARREN (56)

Cullers 0 0 0, Farr 4 0 10, Davidson 0 0 0, ERoell 2 1 5, Stuart 4 2 11, Wotorson 7 3 20, Solberg 1 8-9 10, Rodgers 0 0 0. Totals 18 14-22 56.

CLARENCE (54)

Bell 0 0 0, Glaude 5 0 12, Ellis 0 0 0, Haley 1 0 2, Green 0 0 0, Chiaino 2 0 5, Zuppa 2 1 6, GHallam 4 2 10, Charles 2 1 5, VHallam 6 1 14. Totals 22 5-14 54.

3-point goals–Farr 2, Stuart, Wotorson 3, Glaude 2, Chiaino, Zuppa, VHallam.

Warren 15 13 14 14 — 56

Clarence 21 11 11 11 — 54