Scarsdale Girls Basketball Team Triumphs Over Suffern

The Scarsdale Girl's Basketball team is used to blowing leads. Of the six games last season where the Raiders were leading into the third quarter, they won less than half. So during their game on December 18 against Suffern, when the score was tied at the half, it would have been easy for the team to accept an inevitable loss. The Raider lost to Suffern last season and it was an important test for this year's team.

"We have a solid group of veteran players. We just need to figure out where everyone fits, mesh in the way that we play, and get a few wins under our belt", said Senior Guard Audrey Shaev. The team returned all but three players from last year, losing Seniors Ashley Barletta, Emma Coleman, and Jordie Cohen. With a win, the team would differentiate itself from last year's roster. The Raiders lost their first two games of the season, one against the dominant section champions Ossining, and the other against an unfamiliar team from the New York City Catholic League.

A win against Suffern would provide a good basis to establish Scarsdale among Section 1 opponents. Going into the first quarter of the game, Senior Forward Lily Steckel emphasized the importance of consistency. "Usually we play well after we get on a roll, but for this game we wanted to make sure that we executed all 32 minutes." This attitude was evident in the first quarter, as Scarsdale went up early leading 15-7 going into the second. However, Scarsdale's lack of defensive intensity and inability to finish open shots allowed Suffern to tie the game at the half 20-20.

Coming into the third quarter, the girls' mentalities were altered. "We all wanted to win so badly, and we knew that if we didn't take advantage of the third quarter we would get blown out" said Sophomore Kayla Maroney. After a series of exciting runs by both teams, the score was 36-29 for Scarsdale going into the fourth. The team continued to capitalize on the efficiency of the veteran offense, led by Mancini, Steckel, and Shaev. The final score of the game was 52-37 Raiders. With this win, the team improved its record to 1-2.

On Wednesday 12/20 at 4:30 pm the girls will play Clarkstown North away and look to continue to prove themselves as a formidable opponent in league and section play. Support the Raiders at home on Friday 12/22 at 4:15 against Section rival North Rockland.