In a rematch of last weeks Metro AAU championship where the Rockland Rockets would upset the NY Elite, both teams were looking to make points. With a solid performance the NY Elite would avenge their earlier loss, winning convincingly, 69-59
In last weeks game, the Elite played only 6 deep, without some of their goto players, most noticbly UConn bound Stephenie Dolson. In Sunday's second round game, Rockets president Larry Milligan faced the same problem saying, "We're short a few players."
Gabriele Gibson was money early as the Elite opened with a 7-2 lead. A drop step and-1 move by Dolson followed by a layup in transition would push the Elite lead to 10 points with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter. Sage Owens would cut the lead to 7 off a layup as the quarter ended.
The Rockland pressed early in the second quarter and a running hook shot by Sarah Helejian quickly cut the NY Elite to 2 points.
St. John's commit, Eugenia McPherson and Gibson pushed the Elite point spread to 12 points with 2:45 left in the half but Briane Traub once again closed the gap with key perimeter shot from the top and right of the key. As a consequence, the Rockets managed to cut the NY Elite led to 35-29 at the half.
Ieasia Walker pushed the lead to 10 points off a steal and a layup as the utilization of bigs Dolson and Taylor Burner altered Rocket shots and created transition baskets. A three points extended the Elite lead to 15 points with 2:07 left in the third.
With a 14 point mountain to climb, the Rockland Rockets had to go all or nothing. A runner in the paint by Traub was followed by a midrange by Brianah Ramos should have cut into the Elite lead but Walker and Gibson maintained a double digit advantage with a aerial assault from the perimeter. With 2:44 left in regulation the Rockland were still in a 17 point hole. A hole that was simply dug too deep.
McPherson led all scores with 27 points with Gibson adding 25 points. Rachel McNeil was the high scorer for the Rockets with a quiet 17 points while Traub contributed 14 points.
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In last weeks game, the Elite played only 6 deep, without some of their goto players, most noticbly UConn bound Stephenie Dolson. In Sunday's second round game, Rockets president Larry Milligan faced the same problem saying, "We're short a few players."
Gabriele Gibson was money early as the Elite opened with a 7-2 lead. A drop step and-1 move by Dolson followed by a layup in transition would push the Elite lead to 10 points with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter. Sage Owens would cut the lead to 7 off a layup as the quarter ended.
The Rockland pressed early in the second quarter and a running hook shot by Sarah Helejian quickly cut the NY Elite to 2 points.
St. John's commit, Eugenia McPherson and Gibson pushed the Elite point spread to 12 points with 2:45 left in the half but Briane Traub once again closed the gap with key perimeter shot from the top and right of the key. As a consequence, the Rockets managed to cut the NY Elite led to 35-29 at the half.
Ieasia Walker pushed the lead to 10 points off a steal and a layup as the utilization of bigs Dolson and Taylor Burner altered Rocket shots and created transition baskets. A three points extended the Elite lead to 15 points with 2:07 left in the third.
With a 14 point mountain to climb, the Rockland Rockets had to go all or nothing. A runner in the paint by Traub was followed by a midrange by Brianah Ramos should have cut into the Elite lead but Walker and Gibson maintained a double digit advantage with a aerial assault from the perimeter. With 2:44 left in regulation the Rockland were still in a 17 point hole. A hole that was simply dug too deep.
McPherson led all scores with 27 points with Gibson adding 25 points. Rachel McNeil was the high scorer for the Rockets with a quiet 17 points while Traub contributed 14 points.
Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]
