By TONY BELLISSIMO
That's because for the past two weeks the teams have been on a crash course to meet in the first round of the Nassau Class AA girls' basketball playoffs. Herricks, the Conference AA-II champion, hosts Baldwin on Friday, and the winner will advance to Wednesday's quarterfinal round.
"I've scouted Herricks three times," Graf said. "They've got three All-County players and have beaten some strong teams. They're going to press and we'll need to be able to break it and not turn the ball over. We have to play as mistake-free as possible."
The Lady Bruins (16-1) celebrated their latest victory-80-48 over visiting Valley Stream Central-with a trip to IHOP last Friday night. Ten players scored for Baldwin, which set a single-game offensive high for the season. It was led by eighth-graders Brianna Thomas (14 points) and Alexandra Hampton (11) and senior point guard Jasmine Davis (11). Senior Melanie Gordon added nine points and 12 rebounds, sophomore Shayna Gatling had nine points and seven rebounds, and senior Melissa Borzoni tallied eight points.
"The girls are getting along really well and playing really well," Graf explained. "We hit a little lull during the crossover part of the schedule and stumbled through a few games, but now we've put together three strong efforts in a row before the playoffs."
South Side, a Class A team with a record of 10-8, has been the only opponent to solve Baldwin so far. But that's not to say the current win streak was never in jeopardy, because the Lady Bruins had to squeak by Oceanside and Mepham in back-to-back games to close January. A 20-for-25 performance from the free throw line was the reason behind a 41-26 win at Oceanside on Jan. 26, and four double digit scorers (Thomas, Davis, Gatling and junior Amanda Rittmeier) proved the difference in a somewhat lackluster 54-43 triumph over visiting Mepham on Jan. 29.
"We had a meeting after the Mepham game and aired out some concerns," Graf said. "I think it made us a closer and better team."
It has been lights-out since the Mepham game. Baldwin brushed aside Freeport, 57-26, behind Thomas' 16 points, rolled over Hempstead 74-38, with Thomas (18 points, 10 rebounds) and junior Brianna Selesky (10 points, nine rebounds) starring, and dominated Valley Stream Central.
"Our confidence level is high," Graf said. "If we play smart, we'll give Herricks a run for its money."
Backcourt mates Davis and Thomas will be the keys, though it's going to take a total team effort for Baldwin to advance deep into the playoffs. "Jasmine makes us go, and Brianna's got incredible athletic ability," Graf said.
Comments about this story? tbellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
