A playoff game was nothing new to Notre Dame Academy. The Gators feel they have been in “playoff mode” since the final week of the regular season when they needed to beat both St. Joseph by the Sea and St. Joseph Hill just to qualify for postseason play.
“We have definitely been in playoff mode for awhile and they responded,” NDA coach Tom Cavanagh said.
His squad trailed Bishop Loughlin by nine points heading into the fourth quarter, but rallied for a thrilling, 49-46 win Wednesday in the CHSAA Class A state girls basketball first round at Archbishop Molloy. The Gators (11-14) outscored the Lions 17-5 in the frame and advance to play Holy Trinity (L.I.) 7 p.m. Friday at St. John Villa in the quarterfinals.
Ashley Iannacone scored seven of her game-high 18 points and Nicole Netrosio had five of her six in the fourth quarter. Kristine Pariseau had nine points, including two 3-pointers, and Danielle Kartalis added six and some key rebounds down the stretch. Vanessa Gutzeit had four points and seven rebounds. Iannacone scored on a pass from Netrosio on a set play to give NDA the lead for good at 46-44 with 1:14 left in the game. Imani Tate paced Loughlin (13-13) with 14 points, Chelsea Gibson had 12 and Aliyah Alston 10.
“Sure enough we ran it and the second option was wide open, a give and go, and that kind of took the wind out of their sails,” Cavanagh said.
The comeback was fueled by clamping down on defense and mixing then up and controlling the pace the faster Lions, who just a few weeks ago had a chance to play fourth in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. Rallying epitomized NDA’s mindset during its hot streak, winners of five of their last six. They have nicknamed themselves the Wolves because they keep “gnawing at it.”
“They never gave up,” Cavanagh said. “They just kept chipping at [the lead].”
Archbishop Molloy 57, Maria Regina 39: Carolyn Gallagher dropped in 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Molloy (13-13). Kamille Ejerta and Alexa (Weasel) Dietrich both scored 10 points and Elizabeth (Gurt) Lynch each added six. Tara McNally scored eight points for Maria Regina. The Stanners take on Nardin (Buffalo) 5:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals at St. John Villa.
Cardinal Spellman 70, Kellenberg (L.I.) 45: Troi Melton poured in 25 points to lead Cardinal Spellman (22-6). Onia Webb added 17 points. The Pilots host Sacred Heart 5:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. Kellenberg is 9-13.
Sacred Heart (L.I.) 45, Our Lady of Victory 25: Taylor Higgins scored 17 points and Becky Conto had 13 for Sacred Heart (15-10). Nina Corcoran added five. Alyssa Techin led Our Lady of Victory with eight points and Tra’Lessa King chipped in six. Sacred Heart plays host Cardinal Spellman 5:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. Victory is closing its doors after this season and this was the Jaguars’ final game.
Holy Trinity (L.I.) 60, Preston 28: Katie Poppe scored 12 points to lead Holy Trinity (19-8). Kelly Carey and Kristen Korzevinski each added 10. Megan Triano tallied eight points for Preston (14-14) and Jessica Signore added six. The Titans advance to face Notre Dame Academy 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. John Villa in the quarterfinals.
