By Dylan Butler
“As a unit, they are learning to play together,” she said. “A lot of these girls have never played basketball before, ever. But I think at the end of the season, they're starting to come together.”
With such a young and inexperienced team, there have been a lot of growing pains, but the play of budding star Monet Pledger has been a major bright point for the Red Devils. The sophomore forward, the lone returning starter, had 19 points and 19 rebounds against Wagner Friday.
“She's a good find, she has a future,” Nasso said. “She's very dedicated, she works hard and is a good team player.”
Sophomore point guard Shaniqua Edmonds, who had 11 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, is another player who has excelled for Flushing (5-14, 2-8 Queens B-I).
“She's a very good point guard, as sophomores go she's excellent,” Nasso said. “She still has things to work on, but she is a true point guard.”
Flushing trailed through most of the game and was down 28-27 after three quarters before the combination of defensive work by junior captain Gisselle Spencer and offensive production by Pledger and Edmonds put the Red Devils in front by nine with two minutes left in the game.
Wagner roared back and forced several turnovers with a full court press and several putbacks by forward Justyna Ivasko, who scored a team-high 14 points, but Flushing managed to hold on for the win.
Hillcrest 51, John Adams 48. Inez Quetant had 22 points and Chidinma Ogueri added 13 points for Hillcrest (11-9) in a non-league game. Adams fell to 16-2.
Townsend Harris 42, Stuyvesant 25. Danielle Carlino had 15 points and Andi Strauss added nine for the Hawks (14-3). Kerri Anderson netted 17 for Stuyvesant.
Van Buren 31, Springfield Gardens 24. Cheriese Soto's 23 points paced Van Buren (11-6) in a non-league matchup.
Newtown 42, American Studies 38. Tamina Hope, who helped spark a 19-7 fourth quarter run for the Pioneers, nailed an 8-foot jumper with four seconds left to snap a tie at 38. Hope finished with 18 points, while Lasheena Brown had 10 points and 14 boards for Newtown (11-8, 8-2 Queens B-III).
RFK 30, Newcomers 25. Christina Connelly had 10 points for RFK (9-14, 6-4 Queens B-II).
Bowne 63, Renaissance 33. Nashaun Burrell scored 11 points for Bowne (17-2, 8-2 Queens B-III).
Forest Hills 44, Edison 40. Kamila Barnes netted 15 points for Forest Hills (13-8, 6-4 Queens B-II).
Van Buren 48, Bayside 44. Cherisse Bellevue had 19 points for the VeeBees (10-6, 8-2 Queens B-III), while Bayside was led by Allie Falco, who had 17 points.
Long Island City 53, Richmond Hill 46. Deidrica Simmons (20 points) and Danane Livingston (16 points) led the way for LIC (9-9, 6-4 Queens B-III). Richmond Hill was paced by Maria Velasquez, who scored 14 points.
Lane 47, Far Rockaway 43. Iris Cartagena's 15 points led Lane (11-10, 5-5 Queens B-I).
