Bayside, Martin triumph in PSAL playoff round

By Marc Raimondi

Shiclasia Brown had a badly sprained ankle, but there wasn’t anything that was going to keep her off the basketball court with her August Martin’s season on the line.

“I realized how much my team needs me, so I have to play,” the sophomore said. “My ankle hurts at times, but I suck it up. I just tape my ankle, double my socks and tie my sneaker tight.”

Brown, one of the city’s top sophomores, managed to pour in 22 points, dish out nine assists and pull down nine rebounds to lead No. 28 August Martin to a 55-47 stunner over No. 5 Townsend Harris in the first round of the PSAL Class A playoffs last Thursday in Flushing. The Falcons travel to No. 12 Tottenville for the second round Feb. 28.

“We don’t win without her,” August Martin Coach Mark Williams said. “Obviously I’m biased, but I haven’t seen a player better than her in the city as far as PSAL goes. I’ve seen ‘AA’ and I think she can go toe-to-toe with anybody.”

Brown also had a bloody nose throughout the game against Townsend Harris (15-2). Shamara Stewart had 13 points and Evanda Redwood added eight points for August Martin (14-6).

“[The girls] were extremely excited,” Williams said. “We thought we could have gotten a higher seed. They came out with a little chip on their shoulder.”

Especially Brown, a transfer who helped nationally ranked Nazareth win a New York State Federation Class AA title last year.

“I either play hard or go home and I rather play hard so we can win a city championship or even a state title for ‘A,’” Brown said.

Goldstein 66, Cleveland 41: Nora Elbassiony went off for 20 points and four three-pointers to lead top-seeded Goldstein (20-2) in the first round. The Dolphins host No. 16 Hillcrest in the second round Feb. 28. Brittany McDonough, Danielle Natoli and Danielle Bonsignore all had 10 points apiece. Grover Cleveland finishes 10-7.

Lab Museum United 63, John Adams 38: Jenny Ramirez had 25 points and Kelly Niles had 16 points for No. 4 Lab Museum United (21-4) in the first round. LMU hosts No. 13 Madison in the second round Feb. 28. No. 29 Adams finishes 11-6.

Graphic Communication Arts 53, Brooklyn Tech 49: Adrienne Graves had 16 points, Ariana Spruill had 13 points and Bobbie Whitehead added 11 points for No. 26 Graphics (13-5) in a first-round upset. The Devils travel to No. 10 New Dorp for the second round Feb. 28. No. 7 Brooklyn Tech finishes 15-2.

Martin Luther King 48, Franklin K. Lane 18: Asha Hedrington and Sabrina Fletcher each had 12 points to lead No. 8 MLK (17-1) in the first round. The Knights host No. 8 Baruch College Campus in the second round Feb. 28. No. 25 Lane finishes 11-4.

Tottenville 50, Clinton 19: Cheryl Lopez had 17 points and Giovanna Blanco and Taylor Sullivan each had 10 points for No. 12 Tottenville (14-7) in the first round. The Pirates host No. 28 August Martin in the second round Feb. 28. No. 21 Clinton falls to 12-7.

Madison 64, Taft 39: Breanna DePasquale had 21 points, Tiffany Jones had 14 points and Twanda Holder added 10 points for No. 13 Madison (13-4) in the first round. The Knights travel to No. 4 Lab Museum United for the second round Feb. 28. No. 20 Taft finishes 14-5.

PSAL CLASS B FIRST ROUND

Scholars Academy 76, Campus Magnet 39: Kristin Henschel had 28 points, Emma Michaels had 15 points and Taylor Gallagher had 12 points for No. 2 Scholars (16-3). The defending champion Seawolves host No. 18 Jamaica in the second round Feb. 29. Jessica Glaz and Kayla Nolan each had 10 points. No. 31 Campus Magnet finishes 7-8.