Lady Rocks drop L.I. title game

Forward Brannon Burke scored 19 points to lead Stony Brook to a convincing 49-36 victory over East Rockaway in the Long Island Class C girls’ basketball championship game played at The Danzi Athletic Center on the campus of St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue on March 9. 

The Lady Rocks, who had won 13 consecutive games, were led by nine points each from Emily D’Archangelis and Theresa Amabile. East Rockaway and Stony Brook have taken turns claiming Long Island titles over the past eight years, with the Lady Rocks winning five.

East Rockaway coach Karin Leary said she felt the game turned during a second quarter Stony Brook run. “We did a very poor job rebounding,” Leary said. “We didn’t box out, and they took advantage of it. They were on fire from the perimeter. Giving them two or three shots each time down the court really hurt us.”

The first quarter was played at a frantic pace. Stony Brook, which improved to 20-2, couldn’t miss, however, the Lady Rocks looked to be up to the challenge. The teams took the floor for the second quarter tied at 14 apiece.

Senior guard Alyssa Marinazzo made a strong move to the basket to give the Lady Rocks a 16-14 lead to open the quarter. It would be the last time East Rockaway held a lead. Burke and senior point guard Sadie Singer combined for 12 points as the Lady Bears went on a 14-0 run to close out the quarter, taking a 26-16 lead into the locker room.

The Suffolk champs continued to impress as the second half began, and they appeared set to blow the game wide open. East Rockaway, which finished with 18 wins in 21 games, was within striking distance, trailing 34-24 after three quarters.

Senior Alli Pacheco opened the final eight minutes with a runner to get the Lady Rocks within eight, but the orange-and-black would get no closer. Singer and Burke scored on back-to-back possessions, and then guard Jessica Winston hit from 17 feet out to give the Lady Bears a commanding 44-28 with 3:12 remaining. East Rockaway would never challenge again.

The Lady Rocks played without senior forward Brianna Adamczyk, who suffered a serious knee injury in the Nassau County title game. The lack of an inside presence resulted in the Lady Bears, seemingly, corralling every loose ball, and having a decided rebounding edge.

Leary couldn’t hide the disappointment. “We prepared well and had some real good practices leading up to the game,” Leary said. “Both teams were in similar situations, having a good amount of time off between games. You just can’t expect to win championships when you don’t box out or rebound. They brought their A game, tonight, and we didn’t.”