Getting a jump on the rest of the field, the West Genesee girls basketball team took positive steps during last Thursday night’s opening round of the Section III Class AA playoffs. The Wildcatss, with the no. 7 seed, led most of the way against no. 10 seed Central Square and didn’t stop until it had a 58-40 victory over the Red Hawks. WG’s defense stepped up in the first quarter, holding Central Square to a scant seven points. Even though the Red Hawks would more than double that output in the second period, the Wildcats still led 27-23 at the break. Gradually, WG got away, steadily adding to its lead behind an attack that, for once, didn’t lean too heavily on senior star Alyssa Sutherland to prevail. Sutherland still led with 15 points, but Kelsey Myers was close behind, picking up 13 points. Allie Kotula stepped up with nine points, with Lexie Myers getting seven points and Erica Lacomb adding six points. Central Square’s Courtney Shoales led both sides with 21 points. This led the Wildcats (14-7) directly into Tuesday’s AA quarterfinal against no. 2 seed CBA, a squad that features two high-scoring guards in Leanne Ockenden and Kayla Stroman. The winner plays in the semifinal round this weekend.