High School Girls Basketball

BY ADAM RONIS

Playoff record: 59-11

Saturday 8:45 p.m.
North Babylon vs. Rush-Henrietta: How dedicated am I to you guys? It's 5:50 a.m. and I just returned from Denny's. Akinyele is pumping on the TV and I'm writing a preview. I feel like I'm putting more work in than Papoose. This is a rematch of last season's game won by Rush-Henrietta, which has won two consecutive state titles. Rush-Henrietta is led by 5-11 senior Shenise Johnson, who will play at Miami. She was named Miss New York Basketball. Johnson is averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists. She has won four consecutive Section V titles and the MVP of each of those tournaments. Johnson is a Nike All American and McDonald's All-American. She had 11 of her 29 points in the fourth quarter of a 58-51 win over Kingston in the semifinals Friday. She added 16 rebounds, seven steals and four assists. Johnson had 24 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and seven steals last season against North Babylon. (I could use that on my fantasy team). She had 35 points and 24 rebounds in the sectional final this season. But Rush-Henrietta lost its big girl and point guard from last season and has four first-year starters. North Babylon also lost two key starters. Eugeneia McPherson scored 31 points in the semifinals as she continues to play great in big games. Bria Hartley scored 20 points and handles pressure well. North Babylon plays good pressure defense and will face a challenge in Johnson, who handles the ball well. The common opponent this season for both teams is Commack. Rush-Henrietta beat Commack 76-59 in December and North Babylon defeated Commack in the Suffolk Class AA semifinals 63-58. Can North Babylon knock off another team with a McDonald's All-American? PICK: North Babylon