The LoHud Girls Basketball Blog

In case you missed it, here’s Jake’s story on Lakeland’s 50-38 victory in its entirety:

SHRUB OAK — Everyone knew Lakeland’s Tori Jarosz wouldn’t take the floor in Wednesday’s big game against Brewster. The section’s second-leading scorer has been out since Jan. 8 with a stress reaction in her foot. 
Nobody figured Brewster would be similarly shorthanded.
The Bears were without leading scorer Emily Tapio, who was at the doctor for unspecified reasons. Coach Doris Schukin expects her to return Friday.
With the two stars gone, Lakeland seized back the advantage. It spent the last two games without Jarosz and was accustomed to playing without her. And its zone defense could stifle Brewster’s limited scoring options.
A 50-38 win gave Lakeland its second win in three contests without Jarosz. Kristin Pappalardo poured in 20 points —?her third 20-point effort in the three games after none through the first seven — five assists and eight rebounds.
“I?feel like I?have to take on that scoring role,” the senior said. “I’ve matured a lot as a player. If I keep playing like this and we bring Tori back, we’ll be great.”
Vicky Kowalski added 18 points.
The Hornets (9-1) held Brewster (10-3) to a season-low 38 points. They keyed on guards Marisa Delzio and Lauren Quattrocchi, holding the two to a combined 17 points on 6 of 24 shooting. Only center Vania Simpri (10 points, eight rebounds) scored in double figures.
“I watched the game at Briarcliff and (Quattrocchi) was attack, attack, attack,” Lakeland coach Steve Fallo said, referring to a 29-point explosion on Monday. “We tried to limit them as much as possible. The girls playing up top in the zone played a great game.”
Delzio and Quattrocchi would love to get Tapio back as soon as possible to take the attention off them.
“(We missed) not just (Tapio’s) scoring, we missed her rebounding, her presence inside,” Shukin said.
Leading 25-22 in the third quarter, Pappalardo made a strong drive to the basket for the hoop and foul. Next possession she found Kowalski for a jumper, then hit her again on a fast break. When she stuck back her own miss Lakeland led 34-22.
The Hornets shot 8 of 12 in the third quarter.
Rori Stark’s shot in traffic brought Brewster within seven, 45-38, with 2:44 left. But Pappalardo slipped under the rim as Lakeland inbounded on its own baseline, drawing a foul and hitting both free throws. Then she flipped the ball to an open Kowalski for the clinching 3-ball.
“Coach has faith in us,” Kowalski said. “He said, ‘You guys can do this without (Jarosz).’
“This was a big game to win. We did not want to lose two in a row.”
Had the game been closer down the stretch, Fallo said he would have inserted Jarosz. She was in uniform and moved freely during timeouts. She will return to the court on Friday.

I have the day off and will be out until later this afternoon (more skiing). Play nice until then…