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Elmont’s girls’ basketball team, which had dropped its first four games before knocking off previously undefeated MacArthur, had been struggling mightily and was playing host to 6-0 Copiague and its one-two punch of senior guards Ieasia Walker and Gabby Gibson.
The Lady Spartans, led by senior Toni Ann Lawrence’s 18 points and 17 rebounds, finally put together a solid four quarters and knocked off the Lady Eagles, 55-48, two days after Christmas. Junior Jasmine Cobbs added 13 points for Elmont, which improved to 2-4.
Walker, who has already signed to play at the University of South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley, came in averaging 22.5 points per game. Gibson entered the contest leading Copiague with 24.0 ppg. Lawrence and the Lady Spartans were too concerned with their own play to worry about the opponent. “We don’t pay attention to where a team is ranked or what its record is,” Lawrence said. “We just had to get back to playing Elmont basketball. We played like a team that believes in each other today.”
Elmont got out of the gate quickly, taking a six-point lead before the Lady Eagles went on a run of their own. Walker, who finished with 24 points and six assists, hit a short jumper to give Copiague a 14-10 lead early in the second quarter as the visitors ran off 10 consecutive points. But Elmont answered by closing out the half on a 20-9 spurt to take a 30-23 lead into the locker room. Lawrence scored seven points in the quarter.
The third quarter was a scrappy, back-and-forth affair. Each time it appeared the Lady Eagles would gain a little momentum and take the game over, Elmont hit back. Copiague didn’t help itself with free throws either, going just 11 of 28 from the line for the game. Elmont held a 41-36 lead as the teams took the floor for the final eight minutes.
The Lady Spartans, who received 10 points, two assists, and a tremendous defensive effort from junior guard Theresa Jones, came out flying in the fourth quarter. Lawrence went hard to the basket for two following a brilliant post-up move and lay in by Cobbs to give the Lady Spartans a commanding 49-36 lead with 4:20 to play. A three by Gibson, who was held to a season low 15 points, cut the lead to eight, but the Lady Eagles would get no closer. Senior Agbogo Kalu and junior Reauna Dorner each scored six for Elmont.
Elmont coach Tom Magno was happy with the result and the effort. “I told them before the game that they really had nothing to lose going up against Copiague.” he said. “We’ve been struggling with consistency on the offensive end. We needed someone other than Toni Ann to step up and look to score. The girls came to play today.”
The Lady Spartans play their next three games at home, beginning with Farmingdale on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
The Lady Spartans, led by senior Toni Ann Lawrence’s 18 points and 17 rebounds, finally put together a solid four quarters and knocked off the Lady Eagles, 55-48, two days after Christmas. Junior Jasmine Cobbs added 13 points for Elmont, which improved to 2-4.
Walker, who has already signed to play at the University of South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley, came in averaging 22.5 points per game. Gibson entered the contest leading Copiague with 24.0 ppg. Lawrence and the Lady Spartans were too concerned with their own play to worry about the opponent. “We don’t pay attention to where a team is ranked or what its record is,” Lawrence said. “We just had to get back to playing Elmont basketball. We played like a team that believes in each other today.”
Elmont got out of the gate quickly, taking a six-point lead before the Lady Eagles went on a run of their own. Walker, who finished with 24 points and six assists, hit a short jumper to give Copiague a 14-10 lead early in the second quarter as the visitors ran off 10 consecutive points. But Elmont answered by closing out the half on a 20-9 spurt to take a 30-23 lead into the locker room. Lawrence scored seven points in the quarter.
The third quarter was a scrappy, back-and-forth affair. Each time it appeared the Lady Eagles would gain a little momentum and take the game over, Elmont hit back. Copiague didn’t help itself with free throws either, going just 11 of 28 from the line for the game. Elmont held a 41-36 lead as the teams took the floor for the final eight minutes.
Elmont coach Tom Magno was happy with the result and the effort. “I told them before the game that they really had nothing to lose going up against Copiague.” he said. “We’ve been struggling with consistency on the offensive end. We needed someone other than Toni Ann to step up and look to score. The girls came to play today.”
The Lady Spartans play their next three games at home, beginning with Farmingdale on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
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