Cato-Meridian girls basketball tops Port Byron in road victory (38 photos)

Kaydence Morrissette (12) scored 19 points in Cato-Meridian's 56-45 win over Port Byron on Thursday. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
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The Cato-Meridian girls basketball squad was on a mission to bounce back against rival Port Byron on Thursday.

Backed by Kaydence Morrissette’s 19 points, the Blue Devils topped the Panthers, 56-45.

Cato-Meridian was coming off a tough outing against Bishop Ludden the previous night. But, the team soon turned things around against Port Byron.

“When you face a rival, it makes it easier to wake up and be immediately locked in,” first-year Cato-Meridian coach Austin Vincent said. “They knew it was go time.”

The Panthers were clinging to a 20-19 advantage at the half. Both teams scored 13 points in the third quarter, but Port Byron maintained a 33-32 lead. Cato-Meridian, however, overwhelmed the Panthers with a 24-12 edge in the fourth.

“The first half was rocky, but we came together as a team,” Vincent said. “They needed to find a way to compose themselves. They came out (in the second half) and found some rhythm.”

Vincent said that Morrissette, who had four 3-pointers, hit some big shots from beyond the arc in the final quarter. He also praised Camryn Daggett for playing man-to-man defense and boxing out.

“On the defensive end, it helped us get out in transition,” Vincent said. “It allowed us to find better shots and play as a team.”

Mollie Walton scored six of her 12 points off free throws for the Blue Devils. Caitlin Salmonsen and Amber Clarke each had eight points.

Abigail McKay scored a game-high 23 points for Port Byron. Ella Jorgensen added 11 points, while Raelee McDowell contributed eight.

Cato-Meridian (10-9), winners of three of its last four contests, hosts Pulaski at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Port Byron (10-9) hosts Fabius-Pompey on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Cato-Meridian’s Caitlin Salmonsen goes up for a rebound against Port Byron’s Abby McKay at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron’s Raelle McDowell drives to the basket vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Cato-Meridian’s Mollie Walton sends a pass defended by Port Byron’s Landry Abate at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Cato-Meridian’s Amber Clarke moves through a double team vs. Port Byron at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

Port Byron vs. Cato-Meridian at Port Byron High School, Port Byron, N.Y., Thursday February 8, 2024. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)

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