By Dylan Butler
The Francis Lewis girls basketball team were eight seconds from dethroning the defending PSAL 'A' champions Murry Bergtraum. After freshman Teresa Rozza hit one of two free throws, the Patriots had a 53-50 lead. The Lady Blazers needed a miracle shot Monday afternoon if they hoped to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Bergtraum would get that miracle. Taisha Roberts banked in a three-pointer with three seconds left to send the game into overtime. In the extra session, the Lady Blazers managed to drive to the basket and draw fouls. Bergtraum went 10-14 from the foul line in overtime and held on to a 70-59 home win.
With Lewis senior point guard Shanekqua Campbell (14 points) drawing a stiff Bergtraum double-team, Rozza found herself open on numerous occasions. Rozza finished with 14 points, including 10-14 from the free throw line.
Bergtraum (21-1) was without starters Cindy Gonzalez and Annie Deroy, who had both fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Stepping up for the two-time defending PSAL champs were Crystal McFadden and Roberts. McFadden had 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Roberts scored a game-high 26 points. Zoe Robbins added 13 points for Lewis (20-5).
Francis Lewis 45, John Jay 37. The Patriots advanced to the first round of the playoffs with a win over John Jay in an outbracket game at Francis Lewis High School last Thursday. Campbell led Francis Lewis with 15 points and Robbins added 10.
The game got off to a very slow start as both teams struggled early. Francis Lewis led 10-3 at the end of the first quarter. From the end of the first to the end of the second quarter the Patriots went nearly eight minutes without a field goal. John Jay took advantage by going on a 12-1 run to take a 15-11 lead with 2:38 to go in the second quarter.
Robbins broke the cold spell for Lewis on a layup with 1:08 left. Sharon Billips (19 points and 14 rebounds) put John Jay up at the half, 17-15, with a long-range jumper with three seconds left.
In the opening half the Hawks shot 0-for-13 from beyond the arc. For the game they shot 3 for 25. With the score tied at 20 in the third quarter Francis Lewis went on a 6-0 run behind four points from Campbell. John Jay responded immediately with five straight points to cut the deficit to one.
The Patriots had the lead for the entire fourth quarter. A jumper by Campbell with 1:47 remaining in the game gave Francis Lewis a 41-36 lead they would hold the rest of the way. Alanna Adams scored six points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Lewis.
Adams 59, Wings 38. The Spartans jumped out to a 14-1 lead in the first five minutes of the first quarter. Jennifer Porrazzo led the way with 21 points. Nicole Moore had 16 points and Michelle Tusa added 10 points and 14 rebounds. Alica Fung contributed eight points and 12 rebounds for Adams (17-5). Savan Young had 18 points for Wings (16-6).
Jefferson 57, Newtown 44. Cinteria Webb had 25 points and 16 boards for Jefferson. Monica Pahl had 24 points for Newtown (12-11).
Red Bank Catholic (N.J.) 55, St. Francis Prep 43. The Terriers scored just five points in the fourth quarter in falling to 20-0 Red Bank Catholic this past weekend. Meghan-Ann Collins led 16 points, while sophomore Dawn Gorynski added 11.
Christ the King 91, St. John Vianney (N.J.) 86. Junior sensation Clare Droesch scored 30 points for the Royals, who improved to 17-4 with the win.
St. John's Prep 41, Mary Louis Academy 39. Robin Donach's 12 points led the red Storm past the Hilltoppers Monday. Teresa Williams added 12 for St., John's, which improved to 11-6 overall and 7-1 in league lay. Liz Barry led the Hilltoppers with nine.
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