Sports
Dalers Triumph Royally Against Uniondale Knights
Farmingdale girls basketball pulls through in fourth quarter to win 52-46.
Kelly McPartland scored a game high 26 points, and sophomore Nadine Hadnagy hit four crucial consecutive free throws at the end of the contest, as the Farmingdale Dalers (7-1, 12-1) beat Conference AA-1 rival Uniondale, 52-46, Thursday evening.
Uniondale (4-4, 5-8) was lead by Aliyah McDonald, with 22 points.
The game took place one day after its scheduled date, due to a weather postponement.
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Both teams had not played in almost two weeks, and the rust showed in the beginning of the first quarter, as both squads missed on capitalizing on several easy opportunities.
The Dalers fell behind early, 6-2, and ended the quarter trailing the Knights 13-8.
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Their fortunes changed late in the second quarter, when they took the lead 20-19 on a McPartland basket.
Uniondale came out energized in the third quarter, retaking the lead 29-28 on a pair of free throws by Sakara Hester-Torres. Not to be outdone, the Dalers started a 7-2 run on a steal and basket by McPartland, to take a 38-33 lead with seven minutes left in the game.
Both teams showed tenacity and fight throughout the fourth quarter. However, the Dalers kept the Knights from hitting the big shot down the stretch, and were able themselves to hit key “one-and-one” free throws, and hold the Knights at bay.
Heroes: Once again, Kelly McPartland leads her team to a win with a great scoring effort. Credit also goes to the rest of the Farmingdale squad for hitting their free throws, especially when it counted.
Turning Point: Came with 1:30 left in the 3rd quarter, when Nadine Hadnagy hits a basket to put the score 35-33. Farmingdale would never again relinquish the lead.
Quotables: On what it was like to hit 4 consecutive free throws to seal the win, said Hadnagy: “Coach makes us hit 50 three throws every day in practice. Today I felt I need to step up when it counted.”
On what it was like for his team to beat Uniondale, a squad of superior size and athleticism, says coach Cerrone. “It can very intimidating [playing them]. And if you don’t bring your “A” game for 32 minutes, they can go on unbelievable runs. This was a big win for us. Uniondale had won 7 in a row against us.”
Bottom Line: The Dalers keep rolling along, making this victory their 6th in a row.
Key Stat: McPartland scored 14 of her 26 points in the 2nd quarter, and Alexis Panariello added a solid 10 point and 7 rebound effort for the win.
Who’s next: The Dalers travel to Freeport, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. Uniondale hosts Freeport Feb. 8, at 4:30 p.m.
1 2 3 4 T Uniondale 13 8 12 13 46 Farmingdale 8 16 11 17 52
