High School Girls Basketball

BY ADAM RONIS

Saturday at C.W. Post
Nassau Class AA championship
No. 1 Hicksville vs. No. 2 Calhoun, 4:15 p.m.: Hicksville was considered a heavy favorite to get here before the season and here it is. The Comets are the defending champion and start four seniors. UMBC-bound Michelle Kurowski has scored more than 2,500 points and Courtney Breen is a very good point guard that gets the team going. Karly Cohen scored 12 points in the semifinals, Kelly Dempsey is a good rebounder and Erin Breen rounds out a solid starting five. Hicksville split with Calhoun, including a 43-40 loss on Feb. 8, but Courtney Breen was out with an injured ankle. Calhoun pulled out a 58-56 win over Massapequa in the semifinals. Cayla Grodotzke scored the winner on a pass from Jazmin Fuller for her only points of the game. Calhoun received a well-balanced performance offensively. Megan Vasquez scored 18 points, Fuller had 17 and Erin McCutchan scored 11. Calhoun hit seven three-pointers. Calhoun plays very good defense and will need to in this game as well. The first time the teams met it was a tight game for three quarters before Hicksville used a 19-6 fourth quarter to win 56-43 on Jan. 8. PICK: Hicksville

Class A championship
No. 1 Floral Park vs. No. 10 Westbury, 2 p.m.: What an amazing run for Westbury, which started the season 0-6 and showed up to a game in December with just six players. It appeared like a lost season and now Westbury has won 14 of 15 following a 60-59 win over Wantagh in the semifinals. Shemique Hooks had 24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Westbury is not a big team, but is athletic and likes to shoot the three. Floral Park is the defending champion and is excellent defensively. After giving up 64 points to Roosevelt in its lone regular-season loss, Floral Park adjusted and allowe just 33 in the semifinals. On offense, Floral Park is well-balanced. Any of its starters if capable of leading the team in scoring. PICK: Floral Park

BY ADAM RONIS

Friday at St. Joseph's College
Suffolk Class AA championship 8 p.m.
No. 1 Sachem East vs. No. 3 North Babylon: Sachem East hasn't lost since Dec. 17 when it fell to Molloy (Queens), 60-52. Sachem East has won 17 straight and has won every game by double digits since then except for the game against North Babylon, a 61-54 win on Dec. 22. North Babylon junior standout Eugeneia McPherson didn't play in that game. Sophomore Kristen Doherty is the focal point of the offense, but Sachem East gets good balance. Nicole Caggiano can shoot from the perimeter, Ashley Caggiano can score, Ashley Gyscek is a good defender and Stefanie Mignone rebounds well and is tough in the paint. Meagan Doherty has played well late in the season and Caitlin Hopkins played well against Copiague in the semfinals. Sachem East works well as a team and plays very good defense. North Babylon, the defending champion, is led by the dynamic duo of McPherson and Bria Hartley, who totaled 50 of the team's points in a 63-58 win over Commack in the semifinals. Maliqua Fisher and Kelly Whitaker also had some big shots in the game, but the Bulldogs had only four players score. North Babylon likes to apply the pressure on defense. It seems logical to take North Babylon since it only lost by seven without one its best players, has the experience and is the defending champion. But Sachem East has more depth and this is its year. It should be close and a very good game. The wild card factor is the halftime score. If North Babylon is trailing by eight or more points, watch out. That seems to bring out the best in them. PICK: Sachem East

Small School Championship, 5:30 p.m.
Huntington vs. Hampton Bays: Huntington won two low-scoring, defensive games to capture the Class A title. Huntington beat Glenn 47-46 in the final and defeated Harborfields, 43-39 in the semifinals. Huntington plays very good defense. Kerry Hicks is a good point guard that can shoot from outside and Julie Forster gets it done down low. Casey Scully and Maria Marascia also produce for Huntington. Hampton Bays has won 11 straight. The addition of Kelly Cavallo, a 6-2 senior, takes this team to a higher level. Genna Kovar, Sami Krantz and Rachel Tufano round out a solid nucleus. The key for Huntington will be keeping the ball away from Cavallo. The Blue Devils need to pressure the Hampton Bays guards, so they can't get the ball to Cavallo in spots where she can score. Hampton Bays struggled against the Wyandanch press for one quarter in the Class B championship before adjusting to control the final three quarters. PICK: Hampton Bays

BY ADAM RONIS

I am not one to boast, but I have been flooded with emails asking me about my record for predicting postseason games. Well, that's not true. I haven't received one. But I bet you if I was getting them wrong, I'd get a lot of comments on here. No one rewards you when you do well. Well, for those that are curious I am 45-7 so far. That's pretty damn good. We should have run a contest. For the rest of the games, put your predictions on the comment section.

NYSSWA rankings ( records through Feb. 24)
Note: PSAL and CHSAA teams not included
Rank Record Rank

1. Amsterdam-2 22-0 1.
2. Mount Vernon-1 21-1 2.
3. Sachem East-11 19-2 3.
4. Canandaigua-5 21-0 6.
5. Hicksville-8 16-4 8.
6. Bethlehem-2 20-2 10.
7. North Babylon-11 17-5 11.
8. Oswego-3 19-3 12.
9. Jamestown-6 18-2 13.
10. Shenendehowa-2 19-2 4.
11. Minisink Valley-9 18-1 5.
12. Commack-11 18-3 7.
13. Fairport-5 19-2 9.
14. Churchville-Chili-5 19-2 14.
15. Herricks-8 17-3 17.
16. Copiague-11 17-5 15.
17. Rush-Henrietta-5 18-3 16.
18. Syracuse Corcoran-3 17-5 NR
19. Penfield-5 17-4 19.
20. Monroe-Woodbury-9 16-4 20.


Class A

1. Newark-5 19-3 2.
2. John Glenn-11 18-2 3.
3. Honeoye Falls-Lima-5 21-1 4.
4. Pittsford Mendon-5 18-1 6.
5. Floral Park-8 17-3 7.
6. Beacon-1 19-2 8.
7. Indian River-3 20-1 9.
8. Huntington-11 16-5 17.
9. Pioneer-6 21-1 1.
10. Waverly-4 19-4 10.
11. Malone-10 19-2 12.
12. Maine-Endwell-4 15-5 15.
13. Averill Park-2 16-5 18.
14. Roosevelt-8 16-4 20.
15. Mexico-3 17-5 NR
16. Cornwall-9 14-5 11.
17. Harborfields-11 16-4 13.
18. New Hartford-3 20-2 5.
19. Oneonta-4 17-4 19.
20. Holy Names-2 14-7 NR


Class B

1. Elmira Notre Dame-4 21-1 1.
2. South Jefferson-3 21-1 2.
3. Hoosic Valley-2 22-0 3.
4. Nazareth-5 19-2 5.
5. Hampton Bays-11 18-3 6.
6. Binghamton Seton-4 20-1 7.
7. Burke Catholic-9 18-1 4.
8. Briarcliff-1 20-1 9.
9. Wyandanch-11 17-4 8.
10. Albertus Magnus-1 20-1 10.
11. Cohoes-2 18-4 11.
12. Sullivan West-9 16-2 12.
13. Highland-9 18-1 13.
14. Lansing-4 16-4 14.
15. Cazenovia-3 19-2 15.
16. Malverne-8 9-11 17.
17. Olean-6 16-5 18.
18. Northeastern Clinton-7 18-4 19.
19. Wayland-Cohocton-5 16-4 20.


Class C

1. Florida-9 18-1 2.
2. Little Falls-3 22-0 3.
3. Mechanicville-2 17-3 4.
4. East Rockaway-8 19-2 5.
5. Cooperstown-3 22-0 7.
6. Perry-5 21-1 8.
7. Stony Brook-11 14-3 9.
8. Schenectady Christian-2 22-0 10.
9. Newfield-4 18-2 6.
10. Maple Hill-2 20-1 12.
11. Avon-5 16-6 NR
12. Bainbridge-Guilford-4 20-2 14.
13. Haldane-1 16-4 15.
14. Madrid-Waddington-10 18-4 16.
15. Frewsburg-6 19-2 17.
16. Honeoye-5 18-4 19.
17. Marion-5 21-1 1.
18. Beaver-River-3 17-4 NR
19. Blink Brook-1 15-5 NR
20. Weedsport-3 17-5 NR


Class D

1. Hammond-10 20-3 2.
2. Sackets Harbor-3 21-1 3.
3. Coleman Catholic-9 18-1 1.
4. Sherman-6 20-1 6.
5. Davenport-4 19-2 4.
6. Whitesville-5 21-1 10.
7. Argyle-2 16-5 11.
8. South Kortright-4 19-2 5.
9. Chateaugay-10 20-2 7.
10. Downsville-4 18-3 9.
11. Romulus-5 16-5 13.
12. Richfield Springs-3 17-5 NR
13. Clymer-6 18-3 15.
14. Jasper-Troupsburg-5 18-3 17.
15. Cherry Valley-Springfield-4 18-2 18.
16. Schroon Lake-7 15-4 19.
17. Hartford-2 14-7 20.
18. Pine Valley-6 16-4 16.
19. New York Mills-3 18-4 8.
20. Hamilton-3 15-7 12.

BY ADAM RONIS

Wait a second, didn't I write this story two weeks ago? What are the chances the same combination hooks up for the same play against the same team in two weeks? Highly unlikely, but it happened tonight at SUNY-Old Westbury in a Nassau Class AA semifinal between No. 2 Calhoun and No. 3 Massapeqa.

Jazmin Fuller drove to the basket drawing the Massapequa defenders to her and fed a wide open Cayla Grodotzke for a layup, her only points of the game, with 30 seconds left to give Calhoun a 58-56 win in an entertaining game. Just two weeks ago on Feb. 12, the same teams played at Calhoun with the winner getting the two seed. And again it was Fuller driving, attracting two Massapequa defenders and feeding Grodotzke for her second field goal with 12 seconds left for the winner in a 40-38 victory.

Grodotzke certainly knows how to grab the spotlight. But it was a contribution from several Calhoun players that got the win. Fuller had 17 points, including seven in the fourth quarter. Megan Vasquez scored 18 points and Erin McCutchan scored 11 points, including three three-pointers.

"We thought if kept Megan under 20 and spread our scoring around, we would be in good shape," Massapequa coach Shari Roessler said. "They had some people step up and had balanced scoring.

Janine Aldridge (25 points) did all she could to lead Massapequa to victory and had 12 points in the final quarter.

The biggest lead for either team was five points. It was close throughout. Massapequa led by one at the half and Calhoun led 44-39 after three. Vasquez picked up her fourth foul with 5:15 left and sat out with her team leading 46-45. She returned with 3:25 left and Calhoun trailed 54-48. Massapequa took a 56-52 lead with 1:50 left, but didn't score again. Fuller went 1-for-2 from the foul line and Vasquez scored on a three-point play with 59 seconds left to tie the score at 56. Massapequa had trouble setting up a final play in the final 30 seconds and Mary Green stole the ball from Aldridge with 3.4 seconds left.

Calhoun, which has six seniors - four starter- has taken a step each year and is in the final for the first time. Calhoun will play Hicksville 4:15 p.m. Saturday at C.W. Post.

"Each year has been a learning experience," Calhoun coach June Spruyt said. "We have progressed each year. They have been in these situations before."

BY ADAM RONIS

On Tuesday March 4th, the Long Island championship games have been switched. Malverne will play Hampton Bays at 5:30 p.m. in the Class B championship and East Rockaway will play Stony Brook at 8 p.m. in the Class C final. Both games are at St. Joseph's College.

Also, the CHSAA final on Tuesday March 4th is 6 p.m. at Hofstra.

BY ADAM RONIS

Just got word from reporter Laura Albanese, who is at Center Moriches covering the game, that Hampton Bays beat Stony Brook in the Suffolk Class B/C game, 50-42. Kelly Cavallo scored 25 points for Hampton Bays.

BY ADAM RONIS

Nassau Class AA semifinals at SUNY-Old Westbury
Tomorrow
No. 1 Hicksville vs. No. 4 Syosset, 5 p.m.: Syosset is led by two good guards in Christine Banos and Connie Simmons. Syosset gave Hicksville a competitive game the last time the teams met on Feb. 5. Hicksville led 22-10 after the first quarter, but Syosset rallied before losing 60-54. Hicksville won the first matchup, 67-41, on Jan. 4. Hicksville, the defending champion, had an easy time in the quarterfinals with a 64-22 win over MacArthur. Michelle Kurowski scored her 2,500th career point in the game and leads the team in scoring. The key for Hicksville is senior Courtney Breen. She is one of those players that can't be measured in stats. Watch her play the game and you'll see how good she is. PICK: Hicksville

No. 2 Calhoun vs. No. 3 Massapequa, 7 p.m.: Massapequa pulled out a tough win in the quarterfinals over Herricks, 61-51. Jessica DeNicola, a 6-3 sophomore, had 15 points and shot 7-for-8 from the field in the fourth quarter and added six rebounds for Massapequa. Senior Janine Aldridge is the linchpin of the team and she had 22 points, including her 1,000th career point. The teams just met on Feb. 12 in a game to determine the two seed. Calhoun won, 40-38. Massapequa had just 13 field goals and scored 10 points in the second half. (Not a misprint!). Massapequa won the first game, 56-40, on Jan. 10 and it was Calhoun that struggled to score. Calhoun lost in the semfinals to Massapequa last season. Junior Megan Vasquez leads the way for Calhoun and Jazmin Fuller is one to watch, too. Calhoun had great success when it put a lot of pressure on Massapequa. Calhoun did a good job keeping the ball away from Aldridge in the second half. If she gets a little amount of space, she can hit the shot. This is a tough game to pick. I could see either team winning and expect a tight game. But we are here to make a pick, so....PICK: Calhoun

BY ADAM RONIS

Nassau Class A semifinals
Tomorrow at Freeport
No. 1 Floral Park vs. No. 5 Roosevelt, 5 p.m.: It's too bad this isn't the championship game. These teams were clearly the best over the regular season in Class A. Roosevelt has won nine consecutive games and is the only team to beat Floral Park in league play, a 64-54 win on Jan. 29. Two things were impressive about the win - it was on the road and Roosevelt scored 64 points against a very good defensive team. Roosevelt has three solid guards. Point guard Nikita Green had 20 points and eight assists and was able to break down the Floral Park defense. She's adept at driving to the basket. She can find Denise Crawford on the perimeter or dish to the big girls down low, such as Nailah Cherry, Samantha Corbitt or Simone Thomas. Floral Park, the defending champion, has allowed 52 points in two playoff games. Floral Park is very well-balanced. Any of its starters is capable of having a big game whether it's Shannon Ingram, Megan Galvin, Kate Hartnett, Ericka Re or Justine O'Callahan. In 20 games, Floral Park has held 11 opponents to 35 points or less. I'm disappointed I won't be at this game because it should be a good one. PICK: Floral Park

No. 3 Wantagh vs. No. 10 Westbury, 7 p.m.: What a run Westbury has made. (Check out the insider online for the full story). Westbury started 0-6 and has won 12 of 13 after having just six players for a game in December. Shemique Hooks leads the way for Westbury, which hit 10 three-pointers in a quarterfinal upset over No. 2 Manhasset. Westbury is small and athletic and likes to spread the floor. Wantagh struggled early with the absence of Claire Petersen, but has played better since she returned. Wantagh used a 15-8 fourth quarter advantage to beat Lynbrook in the quarterfinals, 50-44. Tisha Stiklickas is a good rebounder and she will have a height advantage inside. Wantagh needs to get her the ball. Westbury did an excellent job keeping the ball away from Manhasset's big girls. PICK: Wantagh

BY ADAM RONIS

Suffolk Class A championship
Tomorrow 7:30 p.m. at Center Moriches
No. 1 Glenn vs. No. 3 Huntington: Glenn had to score late to secure a 38-36 win over Shoreham-Wading River in the semifinals. Glenn wants to get the ball inside to Jaclyn McKenna, who is also an excellent free-throw shooter. Huntington is in the final for the second consecutive season after pulling out a 43-39 win over Harbrofields in the semfinals. Huntington plays very good defense and last season's experience will help Huntington. PICK: Huntington

Suffolk Class B/C game
Tomorrow 5 p.m. at Center Moriches
Hampton Bays vs. Stony Brook: Hampton Bays has won 10 straight. Kelly Cavallo changed the complexion of this team and how could she not? She's a 6-2 force on both sides of the ball. Stony Brook is led by junior Danielle Spiliotis, who scored her 1,000th career point in the last game. Stony Brook will be without three players, including two starters. PICK: Hampton Bays

First-round byes
No. 1 St. John the Baptist
No. 2 Holy Trinity

Wednesday, Feb. 27
No. 6 St. Mary's at No. 3 St. Anthony's, 5:45 p.m.
No. 5 Sacred Heart at No. 4 Kellenberg, 5:45 p.m.

Semifinals @ C.W. Post, Sunday, March 2
12:15 p.m. highest seed out of quarterfinals vs. Holy Trinity
2:30 p.m. lower seed out of quarterfinals vs. SJB

Long Island CHSAA Championship Final @ Hofstra, Tuesday, March 4, 6 p.m.

BY ADAM RONIS

Malverne junior Alisha Steele scored her 1,000th career point last night in a 45-36 win over Locust Valley in the Nassau Class B championship. She scored 18 points.

Newsday’s Top 10

1. Sachem East (18-2): The top seed in Suffolk Class AA continues to roll. Meets No, 4 Copiague in the semifinals.
2. St. John the Baptist (20-4): Clinched the CHSAA regular-season title and will be the top seed in the playoffs as the Cougars go for its fifth consecutive championship.
3. Hicksville (16-4): The defending champion and top seed in Nassau Class AA won easily in the quarterfinals. Play No. 4 Syosset in the semifinals.
4. Commack (18-2): Survived in the quarterfinals in a 54-53 win over Ward Melville.
5. Copiague (16-4): Playing as good as any team.
6. North Babylon (16-5): Defending Suffolk Class AA champion play Commack in the semifinals in a rematch of last season’s county final.
7. Holy Trinity (18-6): Will be the two seed in the CHSAA playoffs.
8. Roosevelt (16-4): Defeated Garden City 40-32 in the Nassau Class A quarterfinals. Only team to beat Floral Park in league play. Can Roosevelt do it again in the semifinals?
9. Calhoun (15-4): In the Nassau Class AA semifinals for the second consecutive season.
10. Massapequa (13-6): Beat a tough Herricks team in the quarterfinals. Play Calhoun in the semifinals for the second straight year.

On the bubble: Herricks, Floral Park, Glenn, Huntington, Hampton Bays, Riverhead, Ward Melville

BY ADAM RONIS

Nassau Players of the Week

Jessica DeNicola (Massapequa): The 6-3 sophomore didn’t score for three quarters, but had 15 points on 7-for-8 from the field and six rebounds in a 23-10 fourth quarter for Massapequa in a 61-51 win over Herricks in a Nassau Class AA quarterfinal.
Claire Petersen (Wantagh): Petersen scored seven of her 14 points in a 15-8 fourth quarter for Wantagh in a 50-44 win over Lynbrook in the Nassau Class A quarterfinals. She hit two free throws with 1:30 left to give Wantagh a 45-42 lead. She added eight assists and three steals.

Suffolk Players of the Week
Kelly Cavallo (Hampton Bays): The 6-2 senior helped Hampton Bays win the Suffolk Class B championship with 35 points, 21 rebounds and four blocked shots in a 68-56 win over Wyandanch. She had 22 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks in a 47-32 win over Bayport-Blue Point in the semifinals.
Genna Kovar (Hampton Bays): The point guard helped break the Wyandanch press in the Suffolk Class B championship. She had nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Kovar had six points, eight assists and seven steals in the semifinals.

BY ADAM RONIS

The final four is down to the top four seeds, the teams most people thought before the season were the top teams in Suffolk Class AA. These teams are pretty even and anyone can emerge as the champion. It should be a great night of basketball.

Monday
Suffolk Class AA semifinals at Eastport-South Manor
No. 2 Commack vs. No. 3 North Babylon: A rematch of last season's county championship game won by North Babylon. Commack barely survived in the quarterfinals, almost blowing a 14-point first-half lead before eking out a 54-53 win over Ward Melville. Commack had a lot of trouble scoring in the first half. Was it due to a very good Ward Melville team or Commack's vulnerabilities? It all starts with Sammy Prahalis, a McDonald's All-American, for Commack and I would expect to get double-teammed. Commack needs a big offensive contribution from someone else, whether it's Kaitlin Milazzo, Kristen Haller from the perimeter or Noreen Masciello. North Babylon presents a tough matchup with junior Eugeneia McPherson and sophomore Bria Hartley. Both are capable of carrying the offense for North Babylon. If Prahalis guards one, who will guard the other? Hartley had 28 points, including 16 on 8-for-8 shooting in the second half against Hills West in a quarterfinal 69-42 win. North Babylon used a 38-14 second half to break the game open. If North Babylon is playing its trademark defense, it can shut teams down. It's very difficult to go against a player with the drive, determination and talent of Prahalis, who is on a quest to win her first county championship in her final season before leaving for Ohio State. This game could go either way, but North Babylon is a bad matchup for Commack. PICK: North Babylon

No. 1 Sachem East vs. No. 4 Copiague: I have been very impressed with Copiague, which is playing as good as anyone. Copiague is very quick and good defensively. The junior tandem of Ieasia Walker and Gabrielle Gibson is one of the best. Walker puts the ball in the right spot for her teammates to finish. Copiague is so adept at getting inside and to the basket that the Eagles get very good looks at the basket. Copiague also gets good contributions from Jasmine Campbell, Chelsea Williams, and Dominique Cunningham. Copiague doesn't have much size, but it counters that with quickness and good rebounding from its guards. Sachem East has had a great season. The Flaming Arrows have lost just two games; a one-point overtime loss to Hicksville and a loss to Molloy (Queens). Sachem East cruised through the league schedule, winning each game by at least double-digits. Sophomore Kristen Doherty is one of the best on Long Island on both sides of the ball. Add in Nicole Caggiano, Ashley Caggiano, Stefanie Mignone and Ashley Gyscek and the Flaming Arrows have a good unit. Keep an eye on how Sachem East comes out early. Its path to the semifinals last season is similar to this season and the Flaming Arrows faced a huge first-half deficit against Commack it couldn't overcome. A year of experience should help them avoid that. This will be a very close game and could also go either way. PICK: Sachem East

What do you guys think?

BY ADAM RONIS

Everyone seems to have a silly superstition. When I wear a sock with a hole in it, I tend to write my best stuff. For Hampton Bays, it's purple and white striped socks. Coach Dave Goodman suggested the team wear them, but the players didn't like the idea.

"We didn't like it at all," Kelly Cavallo said. "Now, we like it."

The players wear just one sock up to their knees. Since they adopted the new look, Hampton Bays is 10-0, including a 68-56 win over Wyandanch today to win the Suffolk Class B championship. Wyandanch won three of the last four titles before this season.

Goodman went 0-7 against Wyandanch the last three years. Even with the addition of Cavallo, Wyandanch won 60-51 on Jan. 10. But Hampton Bays won the second meeting, 72-41, on Feb. 8.

Wyandanch raced out to a 22-8 lead today and led 22-10 after one. Hampton Bays couldn't get past the press and Cavallo barely touched the ball. It changed in the second quarter and Hampton Bays tied the score at 36 to end the half. Cavallo had 28 points over the second and third quarters. After that first quarter, Hampton Bays held a 58-34 advantage.

Cavallo shot 16-for-26 to finish with 35 points, 21 rebounds and four blocked shots. Senior point guard Genna Kovar added nine points and 10 assists. Kovar said the practiced against a six-player press in practice that helped them prepare for Wyandanch.

Goodman said it was Pete Meehan's idea, the Hampton Bays boys coach, who has assisted Goodman since the boys team had its season end. Meehan has also directed the team for one hour of the two hour practices. Goodman thought it was a good idea that team hear a different voice.

"He's my closest friend and he has given me a lot of help," Goodman said.

Cavallo played with Hampton Bays in eighth grade before attending Westhampton for more than three years. She transferred in late December and changed the complexion of Hampton Bays.

"Kelly will change any team," Wyandanch coach Warren Fuller said. "Sami Krantz and Genna Kovar have been the foundation of that program for many years. They have earned this."

Hampton Bays will play Stony Brook on Tuesday 5 p.m. at Center Moriches in the Class B/C qualifier.

BY ADAM RONIS

Stony Brook junior Danielle Spiliotis scored her 1,000th career point and finished with 28 points, including 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, in a 54-28 win over Shelter Island in the Suffolk Class C/D qualifier at Center Moriches. Stony Brook had just seven players, since three players were at home out of state.

Candace Baker (10 points) and Jessica Winston (5 points) filled in well for the missing starters. But it was Spiliotis, averaging 22 points, once again that led Stony Brook.

"She's tremendous on both ends of the court," Stony Brook coach Keith Singer said. "She changes the way a team shoots. She was mainly a perimeter player, but her post-up game is getting better and better."

Tina Rando led Shelter Island with 18 points and threw up a one-handed shot from halfcourt that went in at the end of the third quarter.

BY ADAM RONIS

Don't forget to check out the latest girls basketball insider that will be online Monday afternoon. This week the story features Westbury, which started the season 0-6 and is now in the Class A semifinals. How did it happen?

We'll also release the latest top 10 rankings and name two players of the week in each county. And we'll continue to provide playoff coverage and analysis of the games each day.

BY ADAM RONIS

Saturday
Nassau Class B championship at SUNY-Old Westbury, noon
No. 1 Malverne vs. No. 3 Locust Valley: Malverne played in a conference with all the top teams in Class A. Malverne started slow, but came on strong at the end of the season. Alisha Steele is very tough inside, Brittany Jenkins can score and Alexis Gabbe runs the offense. Malverne has been in the final the last five years and won once. Lexi Monserrate Ashley Lewis, Nicki Petrucci and Meagan Petrucci lead Locust Valley, which has won eight consecutive games. Locust Valley is the defending champion. PICK: Malverne

BY ADAM RONIS

Sachem East senior Stefanie Mignone will play at SUNY-New Paltz next season. She is a three-year starter that does the dirty work down low for Sachem East. Mignone is a solid rebounder and sets screens. Sachem East plays Copiague in a Suffolk Class AA semifinal at 8 p.m. Monday.

BY ADAM RONIS

The Suffolk Class B championship between Wyandanch and Hampton Bays has been postponed due to the snow. It will be played tomorrow 4:30 p.m. at Center Moriches.

The Class C/D qualifier between Stony Brook and Shelter Island has been moved to tomorrow 2:30 p.m. at Center Moriches.

The Suffolk Class A semifinal between Harborfields and Huntington has been postponed and moved to noon tomorrow at Northport because Harborfields High School has an antique show.

The Glenn-SWR Class A semifinal is also postponed. The game will be noon tomorrow at Glenn.

BY ADAM RONIS

Wow! Sammy Prahalis almost had her senior season come to an end before reaching the semifinals, but No. 2 Commack was able to hold off a Ward Melville rally in a 54-53 win in a Suffolk Class AA girls basketball quarterfinal. I wasn't at the game, but got the details from Commack coach Denis Conroy.

Tania Williams went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line with 27 seconds left to bring Ward Melville within 54-53 and Commack (18-2) could have run out the clock. With the shot clock off, Prahalis missed a shot with six seconds left. Ward Melville grabbed the long rebound and missed a shot at the buzzer.

Kristin Sells hit two free throws with 1:07 left to tie the score at 52 for No. 7 Ward Melville. Prahalis scored on a drive with 51 seconds left to give Commack a 54-52 lead. Commack led 35-21 at the half, but Ward Melville used a 32-19 second half to make it close. Prahalis had 20 of her 26 points in the first half, 11 rebounds and seven assists and Kaitlin Milazzo had five points and 17 rebounds. Ward Melville is 16-4. Commack will play No. 3 North Babylon in a semifinal at 5 p.m. Monday at Eastport-South Manor.

Commack shot 6-for-14 from the free-throw line, too.

"We let them get back in the game," Conroy said. "Our whole offense was off in the second half. Part of it was young kids playing young. We didn't play smart enough. We didn't impose our will."

Sometimes you get games like this in the postseason and it could help a team. Commack probably breathed a sigh of relief that it survived.

"This time of year, everything is positive," Conroy said. "It's not always the best team that wins, but sometimes the hottest. The younger kids have one under their belts. We didn't play well. We didn't do a lot of things right."

If anyone was there, please comment on the blog and give your analysis.

BY ADAM RONIS

Friday
Suffolk Class A semifinals
No. 4 Shoreham-Wading River at No. 1 Glenn, 6 p.m.: Glenn has beat SWR twice this season. SWR has had a difficult time stopping junior Jaclyn McKenna, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 60-42 win on Feb. 1. If she gets to the free-throw line, it's almost automatic as she shoots around 90 percent. Maria Feehan and Kate Feldman complent McKenna well. Shoreham-Wading River is a program on the rise and gets offensive contributions from several players. PICK: Glenn

No. 3 Huntington at No. 2 Harborfields, 3:30 p.m.: This should be a great game. It's a rematch of last season's Class A final. Huntington went into that game undefeated and lost. The teams are pretty even. Each team won on their home court during the regular season. Huntington likes to press and get points off its defense. Kerry Hicks is a very good point guard and Julie Forster is the key player inside. The core of the team has played together for several years. Harborfields has been on a roll with 13 consecutive wins. Kelly Ryan and Melissa Luxemberg lead the offense, but it was Michelle Caravella, who had six of her 12 points in the fourth quarter of a 51-43 win over Huntington on Jan. 29. This should be a low-scoring game and I could see either team winning. Close call. PICK: Huntington

Suffolk Class B championship 2:30 p.m. at Center Moriches
No. 1 Wyandanch vs. No. 2 Hampton Bays: This should be a great game with plenty of storylines. Hampton Bays coach Dave Goodman used to work at Wyandanch, coaching the softball team and JV basketball team and is close with Wyandanch coach Warren Fuller. He finally beat Wyandanch in the second meeting of the regular season, 72-41. Wyandanch has won three consecutive Class B titles. Wyandanch likes to play aggressive defense and can score inside and outside. Jessica Little can hit from long range and Kim Weathers, Charneice McCullough, Aniya Webb and Shanell Neal are all capable of having big games. That blowout loss should only help Wyandanch and motivate them more. The complexion of Hampton Bays changed with the addition of Kelly Cavallo, who transferred from Westhampton in late December. The 6-2 St. Joseph's-bound center is a major force down low. She had 24 points, 22 rebounds and eight blocked shots in the second game. The key for Wyandanch is stopping the players around her. Cavallo will get her points. Genna Kovar and Rachel Tufano also had big games in the win and Sami Krantz is one to watch, too. It's real tough to go against Fuller and the defending champions that have been in this spot before, but...PICK: Hampton Bays

Class C/D qualifier noon at Center Moriches
Stony Brook vs. Shelter Island: This game could be close as Stony Brook will be without Jenae Ward and Allegra Istrati, two defensive stalwarts. But Stony Brook has Danielle Spiliotis, a force on offense and on the boards. Stony Brook beat Shelter Island, 72-34 on Feb. 7. The game was closer on Jan. 11, a 55-43 Stony Brook win. Katie McGayhey and Tina Rando lead Shelter Island. PICK: Stony Brook

BY ADAM RONIS

Glenn's Jaclyn McKenna has orally committed to play at William & Mary. The 6-1 junior scored her 1,000th career point this season. She gets to the free-throw line often and shoots about 90 perecent from the line. Glenn, the top seed, will host Shoreham-Wading River at 6 p.m. tomorrow in a semifinal.

BY ADAM RONIS

First, I would like to thank the Massapequa team for checking out the blog. I didn't realize you guys were such big fans. A member of the team printed out my preview of the game - I picked Herricks - and passed it out to each player. Next to Herricks was the word, 'Not!' Thanks for the support and keep reading!! And, yes I am not correct all the time. I admit it. (Let me point out I picked No. 10 Westbury over No. 2 Manhasset).

As for the game that Massapequa won 61-51 in a Nassau Class AA quarterfinal, it was one of the better games I have seen this year. The game was tight throughout. In the end, Massapequa's size was too much. Sophomore reserve Jessica DeNicola didn't score at all in the first three quarters and was quickly removed from the game in the first half after committing three turnovers.

The 6-3 center was put in the game in the final quarter to get rebounds. She had 15 points on 7-for-8 from the field and added six rebounds. Herricks had to concentrate on the perimeter to limit Janine Aldridge, who had 15 of her 22 points in the first half. Kim Mui did an excellent job staying with Aldridge, but Aldridge used her height advantage and lenghth to create just enough space to unleash her shots. She worked hard for those points.

"We had to pressure the shooters and [DeNicola] made it difficult on us," Herricks coach Glenn Lavey said. "The way Aldridge was playing, we couldn't get off her."

Herricks is one of the smaller teams and had no answer for DeNicola, who was in great posiiton to get easy layups. The game went back and forth in the first half and Massapequa led 24-23 at the half. Mui (21 points) scored the final five points of the third quarter to give Herricks a 41-38 lead. Jen LaMaida hit a three to open the fourth and Herricks led 44-38, the biggest lead for either team up until that point. But Massapequa held a 23-7 advantage the rest of the way.

DeNicola scored seven of the final nine points for Massapequa to close it out. Herricks stayed in the game with torrid shooting from three-point range, knocking down 10 treys. But Herricks didn't get any easy baskets and couldn't get inside, while Massapequa did. Herricks found the open shot against Massapequa's zone, but more than half of its offense came on three-pointers and that's not a good recipe for victory.

Herricks deserves a lot of credit. The team played a real good game and had a tough matchup. Lavey used to take his players to watch Massapequa games when they were younger since he considers the Chiefs the gold standard. In the past, he said his team might have been intimidated by seeing Massapequa on the jersey, but they weren't in this game.

Herricks had an outstanding run with their five seniors, who all started for four years. They built the program into a very good one and did it with grit and heart.

The Herricks crowd also gave tremendous support. At times, it felt like the game was at Herricks the crowd was so loud.

"It's a great group of girls that did everything I asked of them for four years," Lavey said. "I'm bummed there's no practice tomorrow."

Also, Floral Park coach Greg Mayerhofer deserves a mention. He was the winner of the 50-50- raffle and decided to give back his $250 winnings to Massapequa.

Massapequa will take on Calhoun in the semifinals. So Massapequa, who should be my pick?

BY ADAM RONIS

Massapequa senior Janine Aldridge scored her 1,000th career point in a 61-51 win over Herricks in a Nassau Class AA quarterfinal. Aldridge notched the milestone on a three-pointer in the second quarter. More on this game a little later tonight after I watch the Lakers-Suns game.

BY ADAM RONIS

Hicksville senior Michelle Kurowski scored her 2,500th career point tonight in a 64-22 win over No. 8 MacArthur in a Nassau Class AA semifinal. She had 26 points on 13-for-18 from the field for top-seeded Hicksville. The UMBC-bound senior has 2,524 career points. She added six rebounds and five steals. Hicksville plays No. 4 Syosset in the semifinals on Wednesday at SUNY-Old Westbury.

EAST TEAM

No. Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. High School, State (Hometown) College

11 Elena Delle F 6-4 190 Ursuline Academy, DE
Donne (Greenville, DE) Connecticut

10 Amber Gray F 6-1 190 Lakota West High School,
OH (West Chester, OH) Tennessee

25 Glory Johnson F 6-2 175 Webb School of Knoxville,
TN (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee

42 Shenise Johnson F 5-11 160 Rush-Henrietta Senior High
School, NY (Henrietta, NY) Miami

55 Lynetta Kizer C 6-3 217 Potomac Senior High School,
VA (Woodbridge, VA) Maryland

34 Chelsey Lee C 6-3 142 Parkway Academy, FL
(Miami, FL) Rutgers

23 Alicia Manning G 6-1 170 Etowah High School, GA
(Woodstock, GA) Tennessee

21 Sammy Prahalis G 5-7 125 Commack High School, NY
(Dix Hills, NY) Ohio State

50 Chay Shegog C 6-3 185 Brooke Point High School,
VA (Stafford, VA) North
Carolina

40 Shekinna G 6-2 160 Morrilton High School, AR
Stricklen (Morrilton, AR) Tennessee

24 April Sykes G 6-1 187 East Oktibbeha County High
School, MS (Crawford, MS) Rutgers

3 She'la White G 5-6 135 Norfolk Collegiate School,
VA (Portsmouth, VA) North
Carolina

Head Coach Sherri Retif, Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, PA)

Assistant Coach Corry Irvin, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
(Chicago, IL)
Assistant Coach Caryn Jarocki, Highlands Ranch High School
(Highlands Ranch, CO)

WEST TEAM
No. Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. High School, State (Hometown) College

55 LaSondra F 6-2 160 William B. Murrah High
Barrett School, MS (Jackson, MS) LSU

32 Alyssia Brewer F 6-3 190 Sapulpa High School, OK
(Sapulpa, OK) Tennessee

24 Ashley Corral G 5-9 150 Prairie High School,
WA (Vancouver, WA) USC

1 Jasmine Dixon G 5-11 193 Long Beach Poly High
School, CA (Long Beach, CA) Rutgers

33 Ayana Dunning C 6-3 220 Eastmoor Academy, OH
(Columbus, OH) LSU

22 Ashley Gayle C 6-4 180 Bishop Gorman High School,
NV (Las Vegas, NV) Texas

15 Briana G 6-1 145 Cinco Ranch High School,
Gilbreath TX (Katy, TX) USC

3 Tiffany Hayes G 6-0 134 Winter Haven High
School, FL (Lakeland, FL) Connecticut

25 Destini Hughes G 5-10 140 Kennedale High School,
TX (Fort Worth, TX) LSU

30 Nnemkadi F 6-2 178 Cy-Fair High School, TX
Ogwumike (Cypress, TX) Stanford

23 Brooklyn Pope F 6-2 170 Paul Laurence Dunbar
High School, TX
(Fort Worth, TX) Rutgers

11 Nikki Speed G 5-9 135 Marlborough School, CA
(Pasadena, CA) Rutgers

Head Coach Tom Klawitter, Parker High School (Janesville, WI)
Assistant Coach Heidi Bunek-Hamilton, Arrowhead High School
(Hartland, WI)
Assistant Coach Jane Dooley, Parker High School (Janesville, WI)

BY ADAM RONIS

Suffolk Class AA quarterfinals
All games tomorrow

No. 8 Northport at No. 1 Sachem East, 6 p.m.: Northport struggled offensively, but came though defensively to pull out a first-round win over Kings Park. Northport will need to be clicking in all facets to pull this one out. Sachem East received a test from Ward Melville in the final regular season game and prevailed, 62-46. Sachem East has won 15 consecutive games. PICK: Sachem East

No. 7 Ward Melville at No. 2 Commack, 6 p.m.: Ward Melville won its first playoff game since 1988 with a win over Smithtown West. Ward Melville starts just one senior in Tania Williams, so being on the road in a playoff atmosphere is something to watch. Ward Melville likes to press, but Commack shouldn't be too flustered by it with Sammy Prahalis handling the ball. This could be a close game. PICK: Commack

No. 6 Half Hollow Hills West at No. 3 North Babylon, 5 p.m.: Hills West had had a great season, but this is a tough matchup for it. North Babylon, the defending champions, will cause problems with Eugeneia McPherson and Bria Hartley. PICK: North Babylon

No. 5 Riverhead at No. 4 Copiague, 5 p.m.: Riverhead is another team that won a playoff game for the first time in many years. Riverhead starts five seniors and Sinead Cordero could provide problems for Copiague in the paint. Riverhead has quietly had a good season and this is there opportunity to show how good it is. Ieasia Walker and Gabrielle Gibson have both been hindered by injuries this season, but when the duo plays together, Copiague is very tough to beat. This should be the most competitive of the four games and Riverhead has a good chance to pull this out. PICK: Copiague