All five of the Section 1 girls basketball champions advanced to their respective regional finals, winning in impressive fashion and bringing themselves within a victory of the state final four.
But, before those travel arrangements can be made, they’ve each got to clear a big hurdle this weekend. Albertus Magnus, Nyack, Tappan Zee, Yonkers Montessori and Tuckahoe will face the Long Island champions in their classification.
The RedHawks get the ball rolling on Friday, taking on Section 11’s Westhampton Beach at Yorktown High School. Check here for game stories, recaps and updates throughout the weekend.
Class A
at SUNY Farmingdale
Tappan Zee 47, Plainedge 44
Adrianna D’Orio scored 21 points to lead Tappan Zee. Alyssa Sanchez added nine points and Addy Zayac had six points off the bench. The Dutchmen advance to the state semifinals and will face Albany Academy on Saturday, 11:45 a.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Class C
at Suffolk CC-Selden
Tuckahoe 55, Pierson 42
Grace Kern scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Brooke Matarazzo had 14 points, six rebounds and four steals to lead Tuckahoe. Cara Doherty added nine points and nine rebounds, Juliana Manginelli had seven points and four steals, and Chloe Angello had four points and five assists. The Tigers advance to face Section 2’s Greenwich in the state semifinals at 11:45 a.m. Friday at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Class B
at SUNY Farmingdale
Yonkers Montessori 58, Cold Spring Harbor 44
Emilee Doherty scored 18 points and Anisa Mustafaj had 17 points to lead Yonkers Montessori, which defeated the defending state champions. The Eagles advance to the state semifinals and will face Section 2’s Mechanicville on Friday, 3:15 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Class AAA
at Yorktown High School
Albertus Magnus crushes Baldwin, returns to ‘AAA’ state semifinals
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS – More than a routine, it’s become a required ritual, one that Julia Scott says she would “get mad” at herself if she ever forgot to perform.
At the completion of their pregame warmups, the Albertus Magnus players sit on the court for leg and back stretches. Scott, without fail, will be the first to her feet and walk around pulling each teammate up, one at a time. And they all know to remain seated until her hand is extended.
“I have no idea how it started, but it’s been like that for three years,” senior Maddy Zuppe said on March 14. “Why stop if it’s working?”
There is a bit of unintended symbolism in that. Scott is the foundational pillar around which this team is built and, over the last three years, the senior has uplifted them and helped pull the small Bardonia school into the spotlight.
And, even more rewarding for the Clemson-bound superstar, is seeing those teammates flourish — particularly at this point in the postseason.
“It’s amazing to be on a team like this and play with someone like her,” freshman Ella Grijalva said. “It’s my first year and it’s not something I take for granted, being part of a great team that’s doing something special.”
The Falcons’ “three-peat” quest continues after dismantling Section 8’s Baldwin, 73-44, in the Class AAA girls basketball regional final and earning themselves another trip to the state final four.
“We knew they were a great team with a lot of talent and physicality, so we came in understanding that we had to be sharp,” Scott said. “We prepared ourselves for a tough game.”
But, of course, they were facing the defending Class AA state champions and a program that has maintained a decade-long Long Island dynasty. The fact it took Albertus Magnus only five minutes to build a double digit lead — one that even another powerhouse couldn’t threaten — is indicative of just how dominant this group is.
“They keep checking off goals,” coach Pat Buckley said. “They’re unselfish kids who want to play the right way and want to win for each other. I couldn’t be more proud.”
What’s next
The Falcons will face Section 2’s Shaker in a state semifinal on Thursday, 4:15 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Albertus Magnus repeated as state champs in 1992, then didn’t reach that stage again until a runner-up finish in 2009. This squad now has the chance to become the first team to win three consecutive state titles since Ossining capped a run of four in 2016.
“We don’t really feel any pressure,” Zuppe said of chasing program history. “It’s something we absolutely want to accomplish, but we just focus on one game and what we need to do to be successful. I think if we do that, it’ll take care of itself.”
Takeaways
Zuppe’s 3-pointer gave the Falcons a 5-2 lead with 6:26 left in the first quarter, and they never looked back. Sara Nezaj’s jumper sent them to the second with a 23-10 lead. Alyssa Polonia hit a three that pulled Baldwin within 32-22 with 2:44 remaining in the first half, but they could draw no closer.
Nezaj, Zuppe, Grijalva and Keira Brescia contributed to a perimeter defense that kept up with the Bruins’ speedy guards and contained a high-octane offense.
“Our assistant coaches do a great job scouting and we’ve guarded really well this year,” Buckley said. “Our defense kind of dictated their offense.””
The 6-foot-3 Scott had a height and reach advantage against the Bruins forwards, and she was excellent in the paint on both ends. As well, she played the role of facilitator, finding open shooters on the perimeter and delivering pocket passes for easy baskets.
“We did put an emphasis on moving the ball and finding the open short corner, and it worked for us,” Scott said. “It’s fun basketball when everyone gets going and we’re really meshing, and we’re out there smiling.”
Nezaj also proved to be a difficult matchup for Baldwin, the sophomore using her quickness to create space for mid-range shots and outrunning the pursuit for transition baskets. Zuppe, the consummate playmaker, got into the bucket-getting act with five 3-pointers.
“I was just in a groove,” the point guard said with a shrug. “My teammates found me and it just came naturally.”
Player of the game
Scott had 20 points in three quarters along with 16 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
Box score
Albertus Magnus (22-2) — Nezaj added 23 points and four steals and drew a charge. Zuppe had 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. Grijalva scored eight points, and Brescia had three points, two assists and a block.
Baldwin (20-2) — Polonia had 16 points and two steals, and Leah Williams scored 10.
They said it
“Everyone loves her and they all call her ‘Nana’,” Julia Scott said of her grandma, Sheila, who gave out hugs like candy after the game. “She’s obviously very important. I couldn’t do it without her.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Class AA
at Yorktown High School
Nyack dominates Westhampton to reach Class AA state semifinal
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS – Rakiya Mohammed said she was unsure of her responsibilities, perplexed and awaiting instructions.
“I wouldn’t know what to do when a shot goes up if I couldn’t hear them,” the Nyack star said, her laughter pushing through the sarcasm. “It’s a good thing they’re reminding us to box out.”
The sophomore was playfully ribbing the RedHawks fans, a cluster of parents literally at the edge of their seats, who shouted directions to the players. Sure, it was the most rudimentary points of the sport, and mostly stuff the girls basketball team already was executing well, but there was an urgency in their voices.
Pardon the folks, though, they were just nervous… and excited… and jubilant. Understandably so.
Because this group was giving the community a few more reasons to be proud, and the athletic department reasons to make travel arrangements.
The RedHawks thumped Section 11’s Westhampton, 55-40, in a Class AA regional final on March 13, earning a long-awaited berth to the state semifinals next week.
Nyack, which won its first Section 1 championship last week, broke through the regional rounds for the first time since 1983 when the school was a member of Section 9.
“The girls are cementing themselves in history here and I’m incredibly happy for them,” said coach Kervins Ferdilus, swimming through a sea of handshakes and hugs from childhood friends and his high school coach who surprised him at Yorktown High School. “What they’ve already accomplished is something that will be remembered for a long time.”
Of course, the plaques and trophies will serve as an easy memento.
The RedHawks earned themselves a place among the last four teams standing in their classification with a thorough victory, even making it seem easy at times against the Long Island champion.
“It’s a great feeling and I’m so proud of our team,” said Maya Corniel, whose early 3-point barrage helped Nyack establish a comfortable lead. “We’ve worked so hard just to be a good team and win the section. We just want to keep winning and keep this going.”
What’s next
Nyack, which lost in the sectional quarterfinals last season, will head upstate to compete in the state semifinals. They’ll face Section 2’s Bethlehem Central on March 21 at 3:15 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
“We have to keep the same mentality that’s gotten us here,” Corniel said. “We’re gonna study and prepare, and get back in the gym and work on all the things we could’ve done better today.”
Takeaways
There aren’t many things the RedHawks didn’t do well. Corniel hit three first-quarter threes and Casey Cummings’ layup off a feed from Mohammed gave them a 13-2 lead with 2:48 left in the period.
The Hurricanes surged briefly to close the first and got to within 13-9, but they would draw no closer. Corniel, a sharpshooter who started 5 for 5 from beyond the arc, hit two 3-pointers in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Westhampton trailed by no fewer than 10 points throughout the second half, and Mohammed’s free throws had Nyack up 44-26 early in the fourth.
Maddy Peskie anchored a solid interior defense, blocking shots and hauling in tough rebounds. And while Corniel cooked from the corners, Mohammed orchestrated the offense, helping create openings and finding teammates on cuts.
“They did a good job of denying me on the strong side and making it hard to score, so I had to read the game and make smart passes,” said Mohammed, a 6-foot-1 forward with point guard skills. “Credit to all these guys for hitting shots and making it happen for us.”
This, really, was a demonstration of how complete a team Nyack is — the fact they won handily, at this level, without Cummings or Muhammed jumping off the score sheet.
Players of the game
Corniel scored 21 points, including going 5 for 8 from three, and her production gave the RedHawks a lead and momentum from the outset.
“When Maya is shooting like this, I don’t think we can lose,” Ferdilus said. “She’s an excellent all-around player, and the hot shooting just takes us to another level.”
Mohammed had 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks.
“She’s the real deal and she’s got such a high ceiling,” the coach said of Mohammed, who already is among the best players in the area. “She’s only getting better.”
Box score
Nyack (22-1) — Cummings added 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block. Peskie had nine points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, and Elise Aikens scored five points.
Westhampton (21-3) — Sandra Clarke scored 13 points and Kate Sweet had 12 points.
They said it
“Our parents, the town, everybody, is super excited,” Mohammed said. “I mean, 1983 is a really long time ago, so this feels totally new to all of us. And we love it.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Regional finals schedule
Friday, March 13
Class AA
at Yorktown High School
Westhampton Beach vs. Nyack, 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Class AAA
at Yorktown High School
Baldwin vs. Albertus Magnus, 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 15
Class A
at SUNY Farmingdale
Tappan Zee vs. Plainedge, noon
Class B
Yonkers Montessori vs. Cold Spring Harbor, 2:30 p.m.
Class C
at Suffolk Community College-Selden
Tuckahoe vs. Pierson, noon
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Five Section 1 girls basketball champions advance to state semifinals
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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