By Simon Chen
The girls of the PSAL hardwood have completed the first round of the playoffs and headed into the Presidents Day week recess with the second round on the horizon. With no upsets in the borough to report, there is a clear indication that lower seeded teams will have to battle even harder to contend for the coveted city title. “AA” Division #17 Boys & Girls 35, #16 Lehman 23- Despite finishing a lackluster 4-12 regular season, the lady Kangaroos’ playoff record is 1-0 as Boys & Girls leaped past Lehman, 35-23. Leading Boys & Girls was guard Tyler Carmichael, who swished-in a team-high 10 points while posting 13 rebounds and four assists. For four consecutive quarters, the lady Kangaroos held off Lehman to under 7 points per quarter as they advance to the second round to face-off against top-seeded Murry Bergtraum. #12 Lincoln 96, #21 Norman Thomas 17- In their biggest margin of victory of the season, Lincoln derailed Norman Thomas 96-17 as all five of Lincoln’s starters and a role player were able to net double-digit point totals. Leading Lincoln was Nefertiti Tilton as she posted 16 points while chipping-in three rebounds and two assists. Not too far behind was Leteisha Joseph, as the sophomore drilled in 15 points and pulled down four rebounds. With other impressive performances were: Tanisha Montague (14 points), Demi Quintana (13 points, four rebounds, and four ass.), Tyana Hale (11 points and eight rebounds), and Fatinah Hunter (10 points and 11 rebounds). With the win, Lincoln will face 5th seeded South Shore in the second round of the playoffs on February 27 at South Shore. #13 Truman 38, #20 Canarsie 34- Despite mounting a huge comeback in the second half to overcome a 25-12 deficit at the half, the Canarsie lady Chiefs were edged by Truman, 38-34. But this game was a tale of two halves, as Canarsie was able to only net a combined 12 first-half points, which was as much points as they scored in third quarter. The loss for the lady Chiefs will finish the 2007-2008 campaign with an overall record of 1-15 as they look to re-tool for next season. #14 Grand Street Campus 51, #19 Clinton 37- A 21 point-fourth quarter for Grand Street Campus was able to power the lady Wolves to a 51-37 victory over Clinton. Leading the lady Wolves was Simone Victor. The first year varsity star, who is a junior, drove down the lane for a team-high 19 points while chipping-in seven rebounds and a team-high 11 assists. While fellow junior, Edith Santiago, was able to knock down 15 points while posting a double-double with two rebounds and two assists. The victory ensures another “howl” for Grand Street as they advance to the second round with a tussle against third seeded Jefferson on February 29 at Jefferson. *** “A” Division #13 Fort Hamilton 57, #20 Townsend Harris 35- With a sizable contribution from the Mansour sisters, the Fort Hamilton lady Tigers were able to claw past Townsend Harris, 57-35 to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The elder Mansour, Rebab, netted a team-high 19 points while pulling down four rebounds and wheeling out two assists. As for her sister, Samantha, she was close behind by drilling in 15 points while adding 13 rebounds and three assists. The victory for the lady Tigers places them with a matchup against 4th seeded Baruch College H.S. in the second round on February 26 at Baruch. #15 Art & Design 31, #18 Sheepshead Bay 30- Last season, in the playoffs, Sheepshead Bay was knocked-off 58-44 by Van Buren in the first round but would they fair a better shot this season? Unfortunately, Sheepshead Bay fought long and hard against Art & Design but it wasn’t enough as the lady Sharks were trounced, 31-30 in a nail-biter. In defeat, the Sharks were led by Marquita Pring. The senior concluded the afternoon by netting 12 points and snagging away a team-high 32 rebounds. The Sharks’ swarming defense was extremely impressive as they held Art & Design to a scoreless third quarter but lost the 22-17 lead in the fourth by surrendering 14 points. Sheepshead Bay concludes the 2007-2008 season with an 11-8 overall record. #10 Robeson 50, #23 Wadleigh 35- The Robeson lady Eagles came into the playoffs, the highest seeded team in the borough, as they soared past Wadleigh, 50-35 in the first round of the playoffs. Leading the Eagles was guard Kiana Hayden. The senior back court star drove to the hoop for a team-high 18 points while exploding to the glass for another team-high 27 rebounds and added another team-high eight assists. But Hayden didn’t entirely steal the show as her backcourt teammate, guard Monique Chance, had her chance in the spotlight. The senior guard scored 12 points while pulling down 18 rebounds. The Eagles will play 7th seeded Van Buren in the second round on February 26 at Van Buren.
