By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — February 16, 2010 — With one second remaining in the second quarter of Friday night’s Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division IV basketball game, Sullivan West junior guard Shelby Grishaber swished a 17-foot jump shot near the top of the key to bring her team within three points of the visiting John S. Burke Catholic High School Lady Eagles at 14-11.
Following halftime, however, Burke scored the majority of baskets on its way to a 40-13 victory. With the win, Burke improved its overall record to 10-6, its Div. IV record to 5-0 and clinched the Div. IV title.
The Lady Eagles increased their defensive pressure in the third quarter and outscored the Lady Bulldogs by a 15-0 margin. Burke pushed its lead to double digits at 21-11 when Stephanie Ortiz made a jump shot at the 3:21 mark.
The Lady Eagles were also able to drive to the basket several times during the eight minutes immediately following the intermission. They went 9 of 16 at the free-throw line in the quarter to extend their advantage.
Senior forward Brianna Kline scored the only second-half basket for SW (7-8, 1-3 Div. IV). With 6:23 left in the fourth period, she drove past a defender and put up a shot which went off the backboard and through the hoop.
Kline’s basket made the score 31-13 and Burke ended the game with a 9-0 scoring run.
Senior forward Milissa Garneau and junior guard Amanda Lynch paced the Lady Eagles’ offensive attack with 12 points and 10 points, respectively. Ortiz finished with six points and Tara Sullivan added five points.
“We knew that Katrina Graby and No. 23 [Gabrielle Humleker] were two of their top scorers, so we wanted to shut them down,” Burke Coach Bob Turner said. “Milissa Garneau did a great job of playing defense against Graby.
Turner also praised Alyssa Kelly for how well she guarded Humleker.
The veteran coach was also pleased with how the Lady Eagles ran their offense, especially in the second half.
“We were able to drive to the basket and that opened up some jump shots for us on the perimeter,” Turner said.
Graby led the Lady Bulldogs with seven points and Kline finished with four points.
“I thought we played great in the first half,” SW Coach Pat Donovan said. “Our girls showed that they can play with them.
“But you have to give Burke credit; they did a great job in the second half,” he added.
Donovan was especially pleased with how the Lady Bulldogs kept competing when faced with a large deficit on the scoreboard.
“Their heart is indomitable,” he said of the players. “Whether they are down by two points or 30 points, they never quit.”