The Cooperstown girls basketball team traveled to Hannibal, as in Lecter, for a second round Section Three Class C game Tuesday night, and appropriately enough were eaten alive, 53-25.

"We ran into a buzzsaw, were chewed up and spit out," said Cooperstown girls basketball coach Frank Miosek. "They are a fast break style club and a very good team. They just handed it to us."

Senior Amy Kane scored 10 points to lead Cooperstown, but no other player reached double figures. The Redskins, 11-11, played without senior forward Gretchen Wolff, who scored 16 points in a first round win over Sauquoit Friday.

The third time was the charm for Cooperstown against Sauquoit Friday night, as the Redskins avenged two regular season losses to the Indians with a tough, 43-38, victory at Bursey Gymnasium.

Kane and Gretchen Wolff made sure their final home game was a memorable one, scoring 16 points each in the victory.

The Redskins jumped out to a 13-8 lead after one quarter, but scored just two second quarter points to fall behind by two at the break.

Cooperstown scored the first five points of the second half, and led the entire way until Sauquoit went ahead 29-28 late in the fourth quarter. Kane and Wolff each scored baskets to give the Redskins a 32-29 edge, but the Indians came right back with a three-point shot to tie the score at 32-32.

With about two minutes remaining, Rachel Bliss hit the first of two free throws, and Kane rebounded the second missed, made the basket and was fouled. after converting the free throw, Cooperstown had a 36-32 lead, and Wolff added two foul shots moments later to put the game away.

"We talked all week about getting Amy and Gretchen the ball," Miosek said. "We made our foul shots at the end and a big key was Stephanie Smith's defense on Sarah Gaffney. She held her to two points and didn't allow her to set up the offense at all."

Another key for Cooperstown Friday was the quick recovery of junior point guard Liz May, who was on crutches Thursday, but played most of the game after sophomore Megan Sittler started in her place.

...Tuesday's game marked the end of the basketball careers for seniors Wolff, Kane, Mia McChesney and Lindsey Mulligan, though the Redskins should be aided by the addition of players from this year's 17-3 junior varsity squad.