February 16, 2012

Secaucus' Danielle Mitchell scores two of her career-high 15 points. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken at Secaucus Girls Basketball Photo Gallery

SECAUCUS – It was a rare example of flash from Secaucus when Andie Lennon delivered a no-look pass to teammate Julia McClure midway through the third quarter of their Hudson County Tournament opener. Such pizzazz is rarely seen by these Patriots, but the exchange along with McClure's returning bounce pass to Lennon for an easy layup was one of many example that sixth-seeded Secaucus has plenty of substance to go with the style.

"It was very impressive," head coach John Sterling said of the play. "I've always praised our girls for being very unselfish. They look for each other, they look up the floor. They're not concerned about who does the scoring, just as long as we get it done."

The exchange was the exclamation point in a 56-26 dismantling of Hoboken in what was the first significant playoff experience for the young Secaucus squad.

"I'm guess I'm used to these kind of games and the excitement," Lennon said. "I came out fired up."

Lennon helped set the tone early as she found Alyssa Lyngholm for an open 3-pointer and Danielle Mitchell for a lay-up to open the contest. The diminutive point guard followed with nine-straight points, displaying all the assets of her well-rounded offensive arsenal to make it 14-0 and immediately put the game out of reach.

"She's been a point guard her entire life," McClure said. "She knows how to handle the ball and get everyone involved."

"I think her speed was a big factor," said Sterling. "She's such a good ball-handler and she's so quick so she creates a lot of opportunities. People are surprised at how fast she is."

Lennon scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the opening period and finished with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. But she had plenty of help behind her as six different Patriots (19-3) scored in the 25-point quarter.

Junior Danielle Mitchell, who was inserted into the starting lineup midseason, scored a career-high 15 points in the win. 

"I came in and I was scared," Mitchell said of the change. "I was nervous playing in the starting five. But then I looked at it that I got to step it up if I want to play a lot."

McClure was limited to just four points, but more than made up for it with 12 rebounds and six assists. Lyngholm and freshman Kendall Caruso each hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first half. Ariana Simon added six points off the bench and Danielle Roesing filled up the stat sheet with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

"Our scoring has been very balanced for the most part," Sterling said. "No one person is dominating the scoring, which is very good for us."

Sybil Lynch paced the 11th-seeded Red Wings (12-11) with 16 points. Alysha Torres chipped in with eight rebounds and four assists.

With the win Secaucus moves on to the quarterfinals on Friday night when they travel to Bayonne and square off with No. 3 seed Marist at 7 p.m.

Senior guard Sybil Lynch scored 16 points for Hoboken. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken at Secaucus Girls Basketball Photo Gallery