By Andrew McClure
After a stunning rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by East Rockaway senior, Jen Thorpe, both teams took to the court with a little stage fright. Fuller, who apparently felt right at home on the floor of the World's Most Famous Arena, gave the Lady Rocks a quick 4-0 lead. Kurowski, a second team all-Long Island selection as a freshman, answered with four of her own. It was a back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the opening quarter. A 15-foot corner jumper by Jessica Berardi gave the Lady Rocks a 10-8 as the quarter came to an end.
Hicksville came out flying in the second. Paced by Courtney Breen, 14 points and 8 rebounds, and Kurowski, the Lady Comets took a 24-18 lead and had all the momentum. However, a nifty lay-in, followed by a dramatic 35-foot buzzer beater by Fuller left East Rockaway down just one, 26-25, at the half.
In the second half, the game became a wide open contest, which suited both teams fine. Meri Levison scored seven points in the quarter to pace the Lady Rocks, who also received a boost Courtney Harris and Sarah D'Archangelis. A driving lay-up by D'Archangelis gave East Rockaway a 37-34 lead late in the third quarter.
The Lady Rocks appeared to be set to put the game away early in the fourth quarter, as a three-pointer by Levison put them up 47-41. However, it was Kurowski time. The sophomore sensation scored 11 fourth quarter points, eight of which came during a 16-4 Hicksville run which clinched the win for the Lady Comets.
