February 18, 2012

Junior Danielle Roesing had four assists and a 3-pointer for Secaucus. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Secaucus at Marist Girls Basketball Photo Gallery

BAYONNE – If Secaucus was going to advance out of the quarterfinals of the Hudson County Tournament it would have to leave its comfort zone in a big way.

Playing on the road and playing in their most physical game of the season, these Patriots overcame any perceived size and experience disadvantages to make a return trip to the semifinals as it held off Marist 55-44 .

"Adapt and overcome," said guard Alyssa Lyngholm, the team's lone senior. "It was a test to see where our abilities are."

Lyngholm and her Secaucus (20-3) teammates quickly answered that question when it raced out to a quick 14-4 lead. But as the physical play and contact increased, a Patriots squad without a single player taller than 5-foot-7 found itself in the type of battle it had rarely seen during the regular season.

"Very, very physical game," coach John Sterling said. "It's a fun game to play. I had to tell them a couple of times that emotionally you just have to stay focused and calm."

The composure would be tested heavily in the second half. Freshman Kendall Caruso's 3-pointer gave sixth-seeded Secaucus its biggest lead of the night at 41-21 late in the third. But the host Royal Knights (13-11) answered right back with an 11-0 run to open the fourth.

Junior point guard Alexis Wilson drove for a trio of baskets to start the surge and after an old-fashioned three-point play from Marisa McCabe, Wilson knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 42-35 with 4:36 left.

Danielle Mitchell snapped the near four-minute scoring draught with a layup off a 2-on-1 fastbreak. The junior forward would have another uncontested layup on the next possession to push the lead back into double digits.

Julia McClure helped put the finishing touches on the win with six points and five rebounds in the final three minutes, to cap off a huge performance from the freshman.
"There was pressure, but I knew everyone else was boxing out," McClure said. "I might get the rebound, but everyone else is working hard to help me get those rebounds."

"Julia's used to it," added teammate Ariana Simon.

McClure led all scorers with 23 points. She pulled down 16 rebounds (11 in the second half) and added three assists, three blocks and three steals.

"In the second half I think she stopped worrying about being fouled and played with a lot more aggressiveness," Sterling said. "She played a great second half."

Lyngholm and Ariana Simon had five and four points respectively in the second half with Simon, a junior, added five rebounds and five steals. Andie Lennon scored 10 points despite sitting out part of the four quarter after a couple of hard falls.

Wilson paced the Royal Knights with 22 points, 17 coming in the second half, to go with five rebounds and four assists. McCabe scored all 10 of her points after the intermission and added six rebounds.

With the win Secaucus advances to face No. 2 seed Lincoln on Wednesday in the semifinals at Saint Peter's College. It marks the second-straight trip to the semifinals for Secaucus, a milestone few could have expected after the  graduations of Andrea Innis and Shannon Waters, who combined for nearly 3,600 career point.

"It's a tribute to all of the girls on the team," Sterling said. "To lose players the caliber of Ange and Shannon and then to have other girls step up with everybody changing their role a little bit. It's just a well-rounded team."

"It feels great," said Lyngholm. No one thought we could do it."

Marisa McCabe (left) had 10 second-half points for Marist in defeat. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Secaucus at Marist Girls Basketball Photo Gallery