Playing without its leading scorer for a second straight game, Sewanhaka used a dynamic start and a strong finish Saturday to defeat visiting Clarke, 31-25, in a Nassau Conference AA-III girls’ basketball matchup.
The Ravens scored the game’s first 10 points and didn’t allow any in the first quarter, but their lead was never safe as the gritty Rams rallied to lead by one in the third.
Senior Laila Lopez was the lone double-digit scorer on the day, registering 10 points to go with 9 steals as Sewanhaka established a new season low for points allowed as it improved to 4-4 in conference games and 6-8 overall. Senior Tamia Williams and sophomore Gabby Brown chipped in 7 points apiece.
“It was our first game in 10 days and the girls found a way to win amid adversity,” Sewanhaka head coach Alex Soupios said. “It’s a win we needed and now we have to weather the storm with a really difficult schedule ahead.”
Playing in her first varsity game, eighth-grader Aviella Lyvtyn led Clarke (1-7 in AA-III, 4-9 overall) with 9 points. Sophomore Ella Gorlesky added 6, and senior Althea Borleo and sophomore Amanda Kardiasmenos each had 4 for the Rams, who outscored the hosts 21-11 in the second and third quarters to overcome the early hole.
“Slow starts have been an issue, but we battled back pretty quick,” Clarke head coach Shaun Fean said. “It’s a disappointing loss for sure, but this team is never going to quit.”
Lyvtyn played just a couple of JV games before earning the call to varsity. She scored the Rams’ first points Saturday with a basket and free throw. “She lit it up in two JV games after coming back from injury and gives us scoring punch,” said Fean, who noted Kardiasmenos has been a pleasant surprise as the team’s most consistent scorer.
The 5-foot-2 Williams, Sewanhaka’s shutdown defender, not only held Kardiasmenos below her scoring average of 6.5 ppg but also pulled down 8 rebounds and was clutch from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens managed enough offense and leaned heavily on defense without the services of junior Lexi Stewart, who exploded for 26 points and led a 46-31 victory the first time these teams met Dec. 13. She’s expected to return to action this week.
Soupios lauded the efforts of eighth-graders Lacey Lopez and Arielle Amadike, who both played the last three minutes and helped Sewanhaka protect the lead. Lacey Lopez had 5 points and Amadike a basket and a pair of key rebounds late.
“Lacey’s only 13 years old but she’s a natural leader,” Soupios said.
Seven of Lilah Lopez’s steals came in the first quarter. “That’s was kept them off the scoreboard,” Soupios noted.
While Clarke looks to close strong and build for the future, Sewanhaka is very much alive in the playoff race. The Ravens need to finish among the top four teams in the conference or with a .500 record in AA-III to qualify for the Nassau Class AA playoffs.
