Reporter Jared Diamond covered Irvington’s win over White Plains in the day’s other semfinal. Interestingly, it played out like the Briarcliff-Kennedy game, with the favorite struggling long enough to irritate itself, but ultimately playing well enough to win handily.
Here is Jared’s story.
WHITE PLAINS — Irvington girls basketball coach Gina Maher wouldn’t repeat
exactly what she said to her team in the huddle throughout the second half.
Not using the same words, at least.
When asked to divulge the tone of her message, though, a wisp of a sly smile
crept across her face.
“Oh, I yelled at ‘em,” Maher said with a sheepish chuckle. “I did, I yelled
at ‘em hard.”
Maher could laugh now, because Irvington withstood a late White Plains
charge Wednesday to come away with a 67-55 victory in the Slam Dunk
Tournament at the Westchester County Center. Brittni Lai scored a game-high
27 points, and Alexis Martins compiled a triple-double with 16 points, 20
rebounds and 10 blocks.
But despite Maher’s playful attitude afterward, she knows the game will
serve as a crucial teaching tool as the season progresses. The Bulldogs let
a 24-point halftime lead dwindle to 12, turning what looked like a rout into
a surprisingly competitive affair.
Though Irvington ultimately prevailed, the Bulldogs realizes they cannot
afford to play a sloppy half against top competition, starting with
Briarcliff today in the tournament final at 2:15 p.m.
“It was a subconscious thing, but we got lazy, and we weren’t focusing,”
said Marley Giddins, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. “We’ll
definitely think back to this game, because it reminds us we can never let
up.”
In the first half, the Bulldogs demonstrated why they won the state and
Federation championships last season.
Lai immediately set the tone, connecting on consecutive 3-pointers in the
first quarter and dominating on offense throughout the day.
Lai, who transferred from Edgemont before the season, had never played a
high school game at the County Center. Wednesday marked her official,
“Welcome to Irvington” moment.
“I just wanted to get the score up and get everybody calm and into the
flow,” she said.
Lai and Giddins both admitted the team eased up a little in the second half
because they thought they had the game won. White Plains outscored Irvington
42-30 in the second half but could not overcome the deficit.
Afterward, Maher wanted her girls to feel happy about the victory but
stressed the importance of playing hard for a full 32 minutes.
Then she allowed herself to dream a little.
“If we can play the way we played in the first half today all the
time,” Maher said with a grin, “we’ll be just fine.”
11 Comments
MARCIA ,MARCIA ,MARCIA ehhhhrrr mean BRITTNEY,BRITTNEY,BRIITNEY sounds like the same old tired song-why does this little girl get the headlines when it should be Giddens,O’Donnel,Martine and most of all Coach Maher
Irvington has 3 teriffic players and a host of very good role players. Everyone knows that.
Why is it important who gets the headlines? There always seems to be a jealous parent or two there every year. Just keep quiet and let them play.
I think they are a very good team but they better learn to play some more D if they are going to win it all.
Martins are at it again….......it’s called a team….......Not Martins team….........Go Bulldogs!!!
What are the names of the “OTHER” girls on that team or does Irvington only have a three woman squad LOL AHAHAHAHHA
giddens deserved MVP today give this kid her due she works hard
Considering all the recruits you have on the Irvington team they should be killing White Plains. White Plains is having a bad season. Not to say they don’t have some very talented players because they do but after all the hype about Irvington all season to adnausium, to only beat White Plains by a few when they are probably having their worse year in a decade is not exactly bragging rights. Please!!!!
first of all, irvington does NOT have any “recruits” on their team. If you are referring to Brittny Lai, Lai’s family moved to Irvington on their own. No recruiting like the Woodlands boys etc..The rest of the team has been playing in Irvington (Rec, CYO etc ) since they were little girls and play very well together.. Dont make excuses for WP losing, just get to work and get better. IRV would beat WP no matter how many times they played..
Lai moved to irvington for the education then?? really?? no recruiting took place are you kidding me!!what a joke . Edgemont has a top quality school system there was no other reason than basketball that that family moved to irvington but at the end of it all who cares
It’s seems like you care a lot.Want to know what type of toilet paper they use?
If anyone deserved the MVP its coach Maher!!! She took her girls, made adjustments, and turned a very close first half game into a blowout. Briarcliff Coach Hamlin had no answers.
they use charmin. they like soft paper… and leave Lai alone she is an amazing player, everyone has there shining moments, and for someone who works as hard as she does she deserves it all the time.