The Garden School routed Elisabeth Irwin), 72-21, and up-ended Birch Wathen Lenox, 61-45, to become the 2002-2003 GISAL Division II Postseason Tournament Champions.
In the first encounter, the Queens squad overpowered the Lady Knights from the opening tip. The Lady Griffins outscored EI 17-3 in the first quarter and cruised the rest of the way. Garden’s well-balanced scoring attack was led by Danielle Daley (17 points), Yomna Nassef (15 points), Amanda Krol (14 points) and Monika Darrien (12 points). Defensively, GS held the opposition to 19 percent shooting from the floor.
In the title game, GS and BWL players were nervous at the start and it showed in the opening quarter, with each club squandering scoring opportunities, while only mustering four baskets apiece. The teams settled down and produced an exciting pressure-packed game that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.
The score was still tied midway through the second, when GS went on a 12-2 spurt for a 10-point halftime edge. During the streak Melissa Prio scored 6 points. In the third quarter, the Lady Griffins expanded their lead to 16 points. BWL was resilient and brought the deficit back to 11 points to end the period.
Both schools exchanged buckets until the final minutes, when Garden School pulled away for the victory. Nassef chalked up her second double-double in the playoffs, with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Derrien (11 points, 7 assists), Krol (14 points., 7 rebounds) and Ameneya Phillips (5 rebounds) were key components for the winners. Vonetta Trotter poured in a game-high 20 points and Melanie Travis added 11 points for BWL.
