Bronx Science was not deterred by being down by double figures at the half. The Wolverines put their heads together, figured out Hillcrest’s halfcourt trap and came away with a 41-35 win Saturday at the PSAL ‘A’ Girls Basketball Showcase at HS for Construction in Ozone Park, Queens.
“This was one of the best games they’ve played,” Science coach Bob Gregory said.
The Wolverines (11-0) were down 27-14 at the half as Hillcrest (9-1) used its length, speed and athleticism to get transition points and force Science into turnovers with its trap. Gregory took off his own press after halftime and sat back in zone, making the Hawks score in a halfcourt set.
“We’re tried to press them a couple times and they liked when we pressed them,” Gregory said. “When we stayed back and got in our zone, they had trouble getting a shot off.”
Bronx Science outscored its opposition, 21-5, in the fourth quarter with Hillcrest star Danielle Pearce fouled out. Christine Pavia had 19 points and Diana Litsas had 11 for the Wolverines, who graduated star Taylor Murtaugh from last season and are made up mostly of sophomores and juniors.
“We’re more of a team now,” said Pavia, the lone player remaining who got significant playing time when Science went to the ‘A’ semifinals two seasons ago. “Everyone has each other’s back. If someone doesn’t play well, there’s someone else making up for it with rebounds and assists or whatever.”
Pavia was upset with herself the last few days for shooting just 9-of-24 from the line in league play – a 37.5 percent clip. So she spent hours in the gym working on her form. It worked: Pavia went 8-of-9 from the charity stripe in the second half.
She made adjustments, just like her team did Saturday.
“We didn’t give up and I think that we started playing smart and they started giving up a little bit,” Pavia said.
Baruch College Campus 51, Brooklyn Collegiate 41: Senior guard Ismeta Kolenovic and junior guard Destiny Freeman, the lone starters remaining from the Blue Devils’ 2008-09 ‘A’ championship, each had 13 points for Baruch (10-0). Sophomore guard Patti Curran also had 13 points in a balanced effort.
“Offensively and defensively they carry us,” coach Jessenia Marrero said of Kolenovic and Freeman. “They’re basically our go-to players all the time.”
But others like Terri Chu, who came off the bench for the title team, and Curran have stepped up and taken on greater roles. With little size – in terms of players and roster numbers – Baruch has snuck up teams once again, finding itself among the top ‘A’ teams for another season.
“We don’t look like a basketball team,” Marrero said. “We’re all small. We don’t have many girls that are tall or athletic looking, but they’re smart. Our best defense is that we’re a smart team and we play together. I think that’s what gives us the advantage against these other teams.”
Last year, the coach said the focus was too much on winning a second straight title. She has stepped back from those lofty goals now, just hoping to make a modest run in the postseason after falling in last year’s quarterfinals to rival School of the Future.
“We need to play harder, tougher and need to think more,” Freeman said. “We need to use our mental strength to see where other teams’ flaws are and capitalize off that.”
Victoria Thomas had 19 points and Stephanie Portis added 10 for Brooklyn Collegiate (8-5).
