Onoñda’geh Ongwaweñna
By Shirley Hill
Onondaga Nation — Central New York is filled with girls’ basketball players who can make opposing defenses pay with just
a sliver of open space. Cianna Papineau of the Onondaga Nation is one of those players. Cianna is a senior at the LaFayette Jr/Sr High School and is a leader on the team.
Syracuse.com asked Section III girls coaches for their nominations of the best opposing shooters they have faced this season, Cianna Papineau made the top of their list.
“If she gets an uncontested look, it’s going in,” said Mexico HS coach Dom Anthony. “But also, her ability to create her own shot followed by a very fluid and quick release makes it really tough.”
“The best player we have seen this season,” added Cazenovia HS coach Erich Neiman. “Cianna is a tremendous shooter, but what makes her so tough to defend is her driving ability. If her defender goes below the screen, she will make you pay by hitting threes or driving to the rim if you go above it. Great all around the player.”
“She is a very good shooter but her ability to drive makes her difficult to guard,” said Tully HS coach Jeff Russell. “If you take away the drive, she’ll bury a three, and if you go out to get her, she goes by the defender and can hit the mid-range shooter get all the way to the basket. She requires a total team effort just to contain her.”
Game days are very exciting for Cianna. But her upcoming game against Tully was important for her as she reached towards an important milestone, the 1,000 point club. But a big Friday snowstorm cancelled school putting her big day on hold.
On a beautiful Tuesday night in February, Cianna and the LaFayette Lancers faced the rival Weedsport Warriors. Any anxiety about reaching that milestone that Cianna and her family may have had before the game, quickly disappeared as she quickly found her rhythm on the court.
Entering the game, Cianna needed 19 points to reach the prestigious 1,000 points club. By the end of the first half, she had already poured in 18 points!
With her Aunt Suezette diligently keeping track of her points, the crowd noise grew and grew with anticipation of Cianna’s next basket. As she crossed into the offensive zone, she dribbled to her right; split two defenders; drew a foul, and finished with a layup…and one!
The crowd exploded!
Cianna would make the free-throw for 21 points as the game stopped to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment!
Congratulations to Cianna Papineau.