By Dylan Butler
But she wasn't surprised by the Hilltoppers' 80-54 thrashing of Bishop Kearney Monday night at Pitaro Gymnasium in Jamaica Estates, even though Mary Louis lost by 14 the first time the two teams played, in Brooklyn.
“We wanted to prove to everyone that we're able to be second,” Burakoski said of the Brooklyn/Queens Division I standings. “We just had to prove to everyone we can do it.”
Burakoski didn't forget that loss at Kearney and took it out on the Tigers in a big way. She completely dominated the game, sparking a 17-2 run that put Mary Louis in front, 29-12, early in the second quarter.
Said Mary Louis coach Joe Lewinger: “I think this was a small morsel of what's to come.”
The game was basically over at the half, with Mary Louis (14-4, 5-3 Brooklyn/Queens Division I) leading by 24, 48-24. Just in case there was any doubt, though, Burakoski scored five straight points to open the second half and Maral Javadifar followed with a bucket inside to extend the Hilltoppers' lead to 31.An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter capped by a Casey Shevlin layup gave Mary Louis its largest lead, 75-39, with 5:14 left.
Burakoski probably could have broken a school record for points in a single game, but Lewinger pulled her out with 2:17 left and the Hilltoppers leading by 30.
“I think she's only on the tip of what she's going to be,” said Shevlin, who scored 15 points. “She's the most talented girl I've seen here in a while.”
Marist-bound Maria Laterza scored 21 points and Caitlin Irwin added 13 for Kearney (14-3, 5-2), which remains in second place in the division, but still has to play Christ the King for a second time. Kelly Pulkowski added 14 points for the Hilltoppers.
Meanwhile, Mary Louis and Kearney can still meet for a third time – a possible Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan semifinal match-up – and that would be for the right to represent the division in the state playoffs.
So did Mary Louis make a statement by blowing out Bishop Kearney?
“I think so,” Burakoski said. “I hope so.”
Reach Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
