Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Alyssa Walls (10) defends against Hartford's Alondra Nims (13) during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Morgyn Legault (21) defends against Hartford's Cailyn Harrington (30) during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Hartford's Camille Rogers (10) moves the ball past Heatly's Oliva Diaz (15) during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Hartford's Camille Rogers (10) moves the ball against Heatly during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec.30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Hartford's Cailyn Harrington (30) moves the ball againstHeatly during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec.30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly head coach Brian Ford instructs his layers against Hartford during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec.30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Hartford head coach Wendy Harrington instructs her players against Heatly during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Kyra Oeffler (32) moves the ball against Hartford's Cailyn Harrington (30) during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Kyra Oeffler (32) is defended by Hartford's Gabrielle McFarren (14) during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec .30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Hartford's Camille Rogers (10) and Heatly's Kyra Oeffler (32) wrestle for the ball during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) less

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Kyra Oeffler (32) puts up a shot against Hartford during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec.30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Heatly's Kyra Oeffler (32) puts up a shot against Hartford during a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec.30, 2017, in Green Island, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union)

Photo: Hans Pennink

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Green Island

Defensive prowess carried the Heatly girls' basketball team most of the game Saturday afternoon against visiting Hartford. When offensive punch was required, veteran standout Kyra Oeffler provided the lift the Hornets sorely needed.

Oeffler, in her sixth season on the varsity, spearheaded a fourth-quarter rally with her prowess at both ends of the floor to propel Heatly to a 32-27 nonleague victory over the Tanagers.

The Hornets scored the final eight points of the game to improve to 6-2, winning their third straight game and second in three days. Heatly also edged Argyle 40-36 Thursday, a squad it lost to in the Section II Class D semifinals in 2016 and 2017. Both of the Hornets' losses this season have come against Class C competition.

"These are two big and good wins for us," Oeffler said. "I feel this helps boost our confidence going forward. I think we can do more."

It is certainly hard to fathom Oeffler doing much more to secure the win for Heatly. The 6-foot senior finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and four blocked shots in 26 minutes.

"She is all of that, and she's a great kid too," Heatly coach Brian Ford said of Oeffler. "She works harder than anybody."

The only player in the game to score in double digits, Oeffler delivered nine points during the fourth quarter. The Hornets overcame a 27-24 deficit, limiting Hartford to 0-for-6 shooting to go along with five turnovers over the final 2:53.

In that span, Oeffler blocked two shots, recorded two steals and scored five points.

"Scoring is great, but it is defense that wins games. That is what won this game," Oeffler said.

The other basket in the game-ending 8-0 spurt came from sophomore Morgyn Legault with 44.7 seconds remaining. Heatly prevailed despite shooting 14-for-52 (26.5 percent) from the field.

"We're tough, scrappy and play defense well, but we can't shoot," Ford said. "We've got a long way to go to be consistent."

Cameran Henderson was part of a dynamic duo with Oeffler, her cousin. She graduated in June and is currently the third-leading scorer for Hudson Valley Community College.

This season, Oeffler and junior guard Kelsie Rodford are the only players with extensive varsity experience.

Despite its edge in experience, Hartford (5-4) could not overcome shooting 28.9 percent coupled with 30 turnovers — including 17 in the first half when the Tanagers trailed 14-10.

The Hornets occasionally trapped in both the halfcourt and fullcourt. Both configurations were effective in netting miscues from Hartford.

"That press doesn't work without (Oeffler) disrupting passes," Ford said. "We figured with them playing a 3-2 zone, this game would be low scoring. The turnovers really helped us."

Freshman forward Abigail Monroe paced the Tanagers with eight points and nine rebounds. Senior captain Cailyn Harrington, Hartford's leading scorer, was held to six points on a pair of 3-pointers.

"She had 16 3s in her last five games, so we wanted to limit those opportunities," Ford said.

Oeffler, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in January and is headed to play next at Division III Sage, showed off the versatility of her skills on offense and defense Saturday. She often brought the ball up the court to initiate the offense.

In addition to her work in the paint rebounding and scoring, Oeffler showed off both her shooting range by draining her 12th 3-pointer (she is the only player on the roster to make one) and her mentoring skills in encouraging her younger teammates.

"It is different this season," Oeffler said. "I like taking on the leadership role. I think we have a lot of potential."

jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines

Kyra Oeffler provides spark for Heatly girls in victory

Senior's all-around skills critical at end against Hartford

Kyra Oeffler provides spark for Heatly girls in victory

Senior's all-around skills critical at end against Hartford

Published 9:06 pm, Saturday, December 30, 2017