Sullivan West soars over Lady Eagles

TED WADDELL
Posted 1/24/18

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In the closing minutes of the game, the coaches unveiled their plans to win. As the minutes ticked away in the final frame, Kim Egan, coach of the visiting Lady Eagles of …

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Sullivan West soars over Lady Eagles

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In the closing minutes of the game, the coaches unveiled their plans to win.

As the minutes ticked away in the final frame, Kim Egan, coach of the visiting Lady Eagles of Burke Catholic and Sullivan West’s helmsman Pat Donovan, called a flurry of time outs, interspersed with “the art of the foul” designed to rattle the opposition.

But in the end, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed to win 51-43 in a non-league game on Friday, January 19.

Sullivan West (6-3 overall) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first period, but later in the same frame Burke (3-5 overall, 1-0 league) surged back with a “three” to take a fleeting two-point lead, the only time during the game they had an advantage over the hometown hoopsters.

With 1.2 seconds left on the game clock, Burke closed to within five points, only to watch Josephine Martinez of the Lady Bulldogs fire back with a final bucket at the free-throw line.

Snapshots from the game: District Superintendent Dr. Nancy M. Hackett took pics from the sidelines for the school website; athletic director David Franskevicz kept a close watch on the “dog pound” as they whooped it up from the bleachers; and the cheerleading squad performed spiritedly for the fans.

“Our girls did a great job… it’s a young team, and a rebuilding year,” said Lady Eagles coach Kim Egan.

Burke takes to the court with a pair of 17-year-old senior captains this season: Shannon Pullar and Lizette Wallace.

“We’re growing up as team, and have a very bright future ahead of us,” said Pullar.

Wallace chimed in on the subject of the team’s goals, “Win the league championship and go to sectionals.”

Coach Pat Donovan, of the Lady Bulldogs bucketeers, noted that when Burke started to key in on Sabrina Martinez in the second half, “the other girls stepped up and made key plays… a shot, rebound or loose ball… that’s been pretty much our MO all year.”

Burke’s top shooters: Katy McCann (14 points including two 3s), Caileigh Costello (10 pts. including a pair of 3s), “Z” Campbell (10 pts.) and Shannon Pullar posted a 3.

Sullivan West: Josephine Martinez (15), Sabrina Martinez (13).

Stats from the FTL: SW 7/11 (64%), Burke 4/6 (67%).

The Lady Bulldogs are led by a trio of senior captains this season: McKinley Bernitt, Kelsey Farrell and Leizel  Schlott.

Taking center stage for postgame interviews were a couple of 16-year-old juniors.

“I thought the game was great… It’s the first time in a long time that we beat Burke,” said Josephine Martinez.

Isabel Nearing added, “We played really well; we had great teamwork, and really communicated with each other.”

Goals?

“Have a .500 or above record and make sectionals,” replied Nearing.

The Lady Bulldogs are scheduled to play their first league game of the year on Friday, January 26 at 7 p.m. against the Lady Bears of Tri-Valley.

lake huntington, basketball

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