Girls' Hoops Falls to Chatham in Title Game

A dream season and the storied carrier of all came to an end tonight as the No. 1 see Chatham Cougars beat up on the Lady Highlanders, 54-43, securing a North II, Group III sectional title. The Cougars will play Teaneck on Thursday night.

The Lady Highlanders, led by senior captain Erickson who scored 20 points, kept the game close through most of the first quarter and into the early part of the second quarter. With just under six minutes to play in the second quarter Chatham was clinging to a four point lead. But the Cougar’s scoring machine, Amanda Berntsen took over, driving to the basket time and again putting the Cougar’s up 27-19 at halftime. Chatham pulled away in the third period as Berntsen was unstoppable, scoring 12 of her game-high 32 points. The Wolfpack fought back and came within nine points with 1:43 left in the game but it was just not to be.

WOLFPACK OF THE GAME

Shayna Erickson—the Manhattan College-bound senior finished with a team-high 20 points, playing every minute of the game and the last four with four fouls.

OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES

Brielle Kelly—Kelly was second high-scorer for the Wolfpack with 12 points, all in the paint. According to coach Fran Gavin, Kelly “played one of the best games I’ve ever seen her play.”

THEY SAID IT

“We ran three different kids at (Chatham’s Amanda Berntsen)—we even double teamed her at times. She was unbelievable tonight. We showed true character and grit in tonight’s game—never gave up. That shows the character of this team.” – Coach Gavin