By TONY BELLISSIMO
The more things change, the more they stay the same. For the fourth time in as many seasons, Lawrence Woodmere Academy defeated Upper Room to capture the Independent Private Parochial School Athletic League Division I varsity boys' basketball championship.
The scrappy Tigers, who returned not a single starter from their Class A state Federation Final Four team, won last week's showdown with the Royals at Long Island Lutheran, 54-44, behind junior Edmund McRae's 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Junior Tyrone Nash added 14 rebounds and six blocked shots, senior Kyle Armstrong 10 rebounds and junior Josh Marshall 12 points as LWA won its 10th IPPSAL crown in 11 seasons, losing only to Our Savior New American in the 2001-02 campaign.
"The way we played defensively was the difference," Coach Jeff Weiss said. "We didn't shoot the ball very well."
The Tigers and Royals split regular-season meetings, with LWA winning the first clash in a thrilling overtime, 60-57, on Jan. 28, and Upper Room dominating the rematch en route to a 65-55 win on Feb. 7.
"They have outstanding size that gives every opponent problems," Weiss said. "There's no easy way to account for it. We were aggressive and put a lot of pressure on their two guards."
LWA trailed 11-9 after the first quarter, but gained control in the second as McRae provided a spark with seven points to help the Tigers to a 23-17 halftime advantage. Both teams sagged in the third quarter, combining for just eight points, but the pace quickened in the fourth, when Upper Room began to feel a sense of urgency.
Sadraac Numa, who led the Royals with 14 points, hit a three-pointer with two minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 50-44, but they wouldn't score again, and LWA sealed it with four free throws. Upper Room managed only 14 field goals, after hitting 29 in the Feb. 7 game.
In the semifinal round, the Tigers steamrolled Solomon Schechter, 83-34, as McRae (20 points), Junior R.J. Rutledge (12), Nash (11) and sophomore Max Shillalies (10) all scored in double digits. The offense produced 26 first-quarter points and 19 in each of the last three quarters.
Next up for Weiss's troops is this weekend's Manhattan Collegiate Tournament. They'll take part in the NYSAISAA playoffs beginning March 3. "The kids take a lot of pride in holding up tradition," Weiss said. "We'll see where we can go from here."
LWA girls: runners-up
In the IPPSAL girls' basketball championship game Feb. 16, Solomon Schechter completed a season sweep of Lawrence Woodmere Academy, winning 36-23 for its second title in three years.
Danielle Stern scored a game-high 11 points to lead the way for Solomon Schechter. Tenth-grader Sigalit Altmark, from Hewlett Bay Park, had eight points. Sophomore Amanda Boris, also of Hewlett Bay Park, not only scored seven points, but played an impressive defensive game, grabbing 11 rebounds.
"This is an amazing, talented squad," said Solomon Schechter Coach Matthew Price. "In addition to giving their all on the court throughout the season, they maintain their commitment to the school's demanding academic standards."
The Lady Tigers, who lost twice to Solomon Schechter during the regular season, reached the final by defeating Our Savior New American in the semis and Lexington in the quarterfinals. But their offense was held in check. Sophomore Carly Schwartz led the Lady Tigers with six points.
LWA finished a solid 11-5 under first-year coach Stephanie Frankel. In a 40-22 playoff win over OSNA, Schwartz poured in 18 points. She scored 13, freshman Pam Boneparth a game-high 16 and sophomore Jessica Alter 11 in a 48-12 playoff-opening triumph over Lexington.
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