Hey everyone, I’m out sick today so I wasn’t able to provide live updates from the County Center. I know that Briarcliff and Irvington both won big, setting up a great final tomorrow. Could be a Class B finals preview.
Here is Josh’s story from Briarcliff’s win over Kennedy. I’ll post Jared Diamond’s story on Irvington as soon as he turns it in.
WHITE PLAINS — Whether it was a coincidence or not, Briarcliff’s momentum began to slip right around the time coach Don Hamlin was whistled for a technical foul midway through the second quarter. Kennedy whittled the Bears’ lead from 13 points to seven by halftime and Hamlin felt the need to address the issue in the locker room.
“He just told us to forget about it,” sophomore Brianna Celaj said.
But Hamlin shared another message, too.
“I told them it was about time they outworked someone because they were outworking us the whole second quarter,” he said.
Briarcliff listened, and it rolled to a 63-38 victory in the Slam Dunk semifinals at the County Center. Celaj and senior Brianna Reid each scored 16 points and combined to shoot 11 of 19 from the field.
The Bears (6-1) advanced into today’s 2:15 championship game against Irvington in a matchup of Class B’s two presumptive favorites.
Irvington won the state and Federation championships last season. Briarcliff won both in 2008 with Reid, twin Savina, and fellow senior Kasey Heyda playing key minutes along the way.
“It’s definitely something we wanted,” said Celaj, who made 4 of 6 3-pointers. “It will be a good test for us and I think it will benefit us when it comes time for sectionals. We could play them again.”
The Bears’ lead was just 30-23 at halftime despite a first quarter explosion that saw them drop 23 points, thanks, in part, to two 3’s by Celaj. But Kennedy’s teamwork produced its best quarter of the game in the second.
Senior Natalie Canarelli — the only member of the Gaels who played significant minutes on last season’s Class B semifinalist — scored five of her team-high 16 points during the run and Marina Cotarelo hit a basket just before the half.
With its new mindset, Briarcliff applied pressure with an extended 1-3-1 zone to start the second half. Kennedy coach Al Morales warned his players to expect the pressure but the Bears scored the first 10 points of the period as part of a 22-2 run.
“We told them the first four minutes of the half were going to be the most important,” said Morales, whose team, with nine seniors graduated since last season, lost its sixth straight. “But we went backward and I think we lost all of our momentum.”
Heyda chipped in 12 points and five rebounds for Briarcliff. Liana Cornacchio added nine points and eight boards.
Nine different players scored for Kennedy. Canarelli and Kiera Hennessy each had six rebounds.
The Gaels will meet White Plains at 10:45 this morning in the consolation.
13 Comments
Seems like their should be Fireworks in the County Center tomorrow! Oss vs Peek and then Bcliff vs Irv…..Nice job ladies!
I must say I have Enjoyed the last few games at the County Center and here is my opinion on the games tomorrow (12/30/2010). Ossining should be able to pull out a win against peekskill because there is no one on Peekskill that will be able to slow Chong down. If they decide to double her or help out more with Chong she will have a ton of assists. Despite what has been said Ossining has solid players that can and will score. Ossining should win in a close one.
In class B I will have to say that I was Really impressed by the Briarcliff guard play. The two Twins and the Sophomore guard for Briarcliff have impressed me. Seems as if you stop one the other will hurt you. I definately give them the edge over Irvington, but what is ultimately going to hurt the Bears are Irvingtons big girls down low. I have to give the edge to Irvington there. They are more aggressive and they can finish and block shots. Briarcliff down low players seemed to struggle against Kennedy. Irvington should win by double digits.
Figures the Briarcliff guy gets a “T” at such a prestigious event. Never shows much class himself
Tappan Zee
Good thoughts – I’ll take a different approach on things.
If Peekskill does play Chong well and Boxes out, it will be a game. “O” dosent have a lot of “O” if Chong docent hit for 30 plus despite what other bloggers have stated. Should be a good one. If Peekskill handles Chong and does the little things, they will win. Let’s hope for a good, well played and officiated game.
If Briarcliff guards play well and they keep Irvingon off boards, it will be a good game. Irvington big 3 must stay on floor to win. If not, and If Briarcliff does the little things, they should win a
close game. Once again, let’s hope for a good, well played officiated game.
As far as the “T”, it was just another example of the ref trying to be the show. The Briarcliff coach as well as the White Plains, Irvington, Mount Vernon, Ossining, etc, are seasoned and veteran coaches. They are have done a good job over the past decade and know what they are doing.
Finally, the County Center (despite the snow-changed schedule) still offers a great environment for High School games. Kudos for whoever makes this event happen.
Good luck to all teams tomorrow and the remainder of the season. Can’t wait for the playoffs – PLAYOFFS – did somebody say PLAYOFFS!
Carmel over NewRo 60-44. Game was never close.
Brewster by a bunch over a short handed Mahopac team. They were missing Fioretti. (only kidding Colonial. Just trying to put a smile on your face)
NR, Why in your opinion was the ref trying to be the show? I’ve seen many coaches who deserve to get T’d up. Hamlin is well aware of what he can and can’t get away with. Why always the refs fault?
Tappan Zee….I know you are a “real fan” of the womens game from your post’s and may even have a clue to your ID(just wink TWICE at me at the next big Rockland game-you will know who I am and i will know who you are)....now getting on to predictions-in high school ball you usually have 1 or 2”studs” don’t think anyone has 1-2 studs to stop Miss Chong.she will get 27-35 at any and every HS game but is so capable of 35-45 if she only was concerned w/herself and not playing a total game….she is the real deal and while i think in the game vs Peekskill will be tight the Big “O” with Dan Ricci dancing on the sidelines will prevail…Ossining-59-Peeksill 52(with Chong hitting 39)
Hey Hoops, What’s the over/under for Ricci bellyflops?
bawwwaaahahaaaa…havent seen the bellyflop in years but saw the skip and “ohhh my Godd” shuffle plenty of times -PRICELESS
LoL @ hoops 2010-11 I’ll pay to see Ricci dance. HaHaHa
@NR = wake up = get a clue – i was sitting behind the Briarcliff bench and the coach used extremely poor and inappropriate talk towards the ref which surely deserved a tech. A coaches talk doesn’t have to be heard by all in order to warrant a tech.
Wake up you must have a hearing problem. I was on the briarcliff bench and the coach never use inappropriate language. If you are going to state something at least state the truth. You need to wake up and tell the truth or keep your opinions to yourself. I heard the whole exchange and nothing inappropriate was said. That was the softest technical in the history of the county center.
What was the the poor and inappropriate talk?? Please do tell. What was it that you heard. I am very curious. I was on the other side of the court and although I couldnt hear what was said it seemed like an innocent exchange. So, please give us a little of what was said. Thanks!