Class D girls’ semifinals

Lady Lions devour Eldred

Chapel Field makes short work of Eldred on the way to winning Class D

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — For the fourth time this season, Eldred met up with the league champion Lady Lions of Chapel Field. Though Chapel Field prevailed in the previous trio of games, this would be the most important confrontation for Eldred.

A win here for Frank Kean and his Lady Yellowjackets would propel them into the Class D finals on March 4 at SUNY New Paltz.

Kean was hopeful that his girls would rise to the occasion and pointed towards previous games wherein Eldred had played within striking distance of Chapel Field for portions of the games.

But alas, it was not to be.

Chapel Field is an extremely talented group. They love to run in the open floor, and they can bury the three. Give them room, and they’ll kill you on the perimeter. Hesitate for a nanosecond, and they’ll whiz by you to the rack.

These girls have a long memory when it comes to last year’s sectionals, where they lost a 44-39 heartbreaker to S.S. Seward. With the Lady Spartans out of the way in Class C, Chapel Field set its sights on the Class D crown.

Now, all they had to do was contend with John A. Coleman Catholic’s tall-tree Abby Brenkach, and gunner Dana Postupak. Coleman eliminated the Livingston Manor Lady Wildcats 47-35 in their semifinal match-up on March 1.

But if Coleman was to be Chapel Field’s main course, Eldred was their appetizer.

Eldred never got on track in this one. Eldred’s propensity for settling for outside shots instead of trying to penetrate only fed the Lions’ appetites. Eldred’s only two points in the first frame came on a drive by Stephanie Berger.

In that lopsided first quarter, Chapel Field got six points from eighth grader Grace Hodges, two threes from Katie Oskam, four from Ester Hodges and two from Jessica Wiejak. Oskam knocked down two more before the night was over.

They continued their balanced attack for the rest of the day, swelling their lead to an unapproachable 27-8 at halftime.

Even when subs were inserted, Chapel Field did pretty much what they wanted. They led 39-20 after three quarters. But Eldred actually played even with the Lady Lions in the third frame, getting six points from Kayla Bozan and two each from Berger, Brittany Borstelmann and Gabby Westball.

Chapel Field put Eldred away in the fourth quarter, as the Lady Lion bench players logged some playoff minutes in preparation for the much-anticipated final.

Needless to say, Kean was unhappy with his team’s effort. Lack of focus and intimidation from playing Chapel Field in the big game may have led to the lackluster effort.

One of Eldred’s biggest problems was with dribbling the basketball. Chapel Field’s quickness and tough defense caused Eldred guards to break off their dribble before they were in a position to execute their sets.

Kean was pleased, however, with the effort of outgoing senior Marla Parisio. This was her first year of basketball and she worked hard at it. In a key game at Livingston Manor, Parisio pulled down 15 rebounds, helping Eldred to a key win. Other seniors include Becky Hallock, Ayla Kelty and Kayla Bozan.

Kean will regroup next year with returnees Stephanie Berger, Gabby Westfall, Megan Kean and Jessica Bisland, along with other call-ups from the junior varsity.

Eldred ended its season at 9-9. Chapel Field improved to 18-1.

The Lady Lions were led by Kiersten Kuperas and Grace Hodges, who each netted 12 points. Wiejak posted eight. Chapel Field was four-for-ten from the line. Eldred sank two of six.

Class D girls’ finals

Chapel Field never loses faith in nailbiting win over Coleman

NEW PALTZ, NY — Sometimes a team is just blessed. After an unbelievable finish to a Class D final that was up for grabs until the final seconds, Chapel Field Christian Academy senior Bethany Sgandurra said that she and her teammates never lost faith.

Even when they went nearly four minutes into the fourth quarter without scoring and trailed 33-31 with 2:37 to go, Sgandurra believed her team would draw some divine inspiration.

Twenty-two seconds later, junior Katie Oskam was inspired to do something she’s done well all year. She buried a three to give the Lady Lions a 34-33 lead.

Chapel Field players and fans erupted with a sense of revived spirit, as coaches called a time-out. But two minutes is a long time in a basketball game.

Chapel Field’s defense had been tough all day, as had Coleman’s. The teams had played to a 12-all tie in the first quarter, and were tied at 29 heading into the fourth. Chapel Field held a narrow 23-21 lead at the half.

In the game’s waning minutes, both teams reached down for the play that would define the day.

The Lady Statesmen’s hopes rested on the shoulders of senior center Abby Brenkach, who already was leading all scorers with 17, or perhaps in the hands of senior guard Dana Postupack. They had accounted for all but six of Coleman’s points on the afternoon. Both were veterans of Coleman’s 2004 Section 9 championship team and perhaps their experience and poise could come up with the big play that would lead Coleman back to a second title. But Chapel Field’s pressure and helping defense didn’t afford either a good look.

When Chapel Field’s Jessica Wiejak was fouled with 9.9 seconds to go, it looked like the Lady Lions would ice the win, but nerves caused the normally unflappable star to miss both shots from the stripe. Coleman’s Carolyn Brudner came down with the rebound, but the athletic Wiejak, who always seems to be in the middle of the fray, hustled back on defense and harried Brudner up the floor. When Brudner threw her desperation pass out of bounds, the Lions roared and the celebration of the 34-33 victory began.

Players hugged each other and their coach Sal Patano. They smiled, they danced and they expressed their thanks. It was a moment that none of them will ever forget.

Chapel Field (16-5) advances to play the winner of the Section 1 championship game, which will either be Leake and Watts or Solomon Schecter. The winner of that game will be blessed with a pass to the state’s final four.

Last year S.S. Seward trounced Leake and Watts. The Lady Spartans then lost to Downsville in the semifinals of the Class D state tournament.

Downsville succumbed to Pine Valley in the state final.

For Chapel Field, the prospect of heading to the states in basketball is heady stuff for a team that has never before soared to the heights of this celestial realm on the hardwood.

Now softball, that’s another matter. Chapel Field has won three state titles in the last four years.

For additional details on the Eldred-Chapel Field game, the Chapel Field versus John A. Coleman final and photo albums from both games, visit riverreportersports.com.