Rebels Top Cougars to End Kennedy's Season

It was a case of not being able to hit that one big shot.

Kennedy certainly had chances to take over the game in the fourth quarter, but their comeback attempt was thwarted by host Great Neck South, and the Lady Cougars were eliminated in the first round of the Class AA playoffs, 42-33.

Carly Thea led the way for the Cougars with 14 points, and Morgan Kitton chipped in eight hard-earned points to the cause as well.

"We played well," coach Debra Cipolla-Minafo said. "The girls really fought. They could've given up, but they kept their heads in it. I am proud of them."

Kennedy came out of the gate rolling early. Thea did most of her damage early, as she notched six of her 14 points in the first quarter, and the Cougars ended the period with a four point advantage.

"We were playing solid defense early, and that's why we had the lead," Thea said. "The second quarter was really when it started to be rough for us."

When the second quarter began, Great Neck (16-2) adopted the 2-1-2 zone, and Kennedy could not figure out a way to get through it. Despite calling multiple timeouts in the period, Kennedy continued to be stopped offensively, and they were only able to muster a Kitton layup in the period. The first half ended with the Cougars trailing by nine.

"We were talking about the zone during out timeouts," Cipolla-Minafo said. "I was stressing to them that they needed to penetrate and then kick the ball out to the outside."

The third quarter was comeback time for Kennedy. The passing improved, and that opened up space for people to drive to the lane, and the Cougars trimmed the Great Neck lead to six. Kennedy held for one shot as the period came to a close, and Allie Keller nailed an arcing three at the buzzer to trim the lead to three.

"That was a huge shot," Keller said. "It really gave us some momentum, and that allowed us to have the chance to win."

Kennedy would continue to cut into the lead until they were down by just two points with 4:47 remaining. The Cougars had the ball numerous times, yet they were unable to hit the big shot that would've either tied the game or given them the lead.

"We got open looks," Cipolla-Minafo said. "We just didn't hit our outside shots. That is definitely an area that needs improvement over the off season."

The Rebels would eventually pull away, thanks to the play of Sapir Edalati, who scored 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter.

"We played like a team," Edalati said. "We practiced hard, and we did what we needed to do when it counts. That is what is most important."

With the win, Great Neck goes on to play Uniondale. Edalati is confident in the Rebels' chances.

"We are going to beat them," Edalati said. "We just can't be stopped."

Great Neck coach Tom Umstatter was impressed with the fight the Cougars showed.

"We thought we had them beat in the second quarter," Umstatter said. "Give them credit though. The Cougars never stopped battling, and they almost stole one from underneath us."

Instead of wallowing in their grief, the Cougars have already started talking about their excitement for next season. With only two seniors leaving, a very similar group will be back on the court next season.

"We have really stepped up to the next level as a program," Thea said.  "An experience like this doesn't make us sad. It makes us motivated. We are going to use this to help drive us next season."

Kennedy is going to need players to step up, and Cipolla-Minafo was sure to mention one person specifically.

"Kerri Stalzer played half the game tonight, and she was very impressive," Cipolla-Minafo said. "Look for her to make that move to the next level."

Kennedy finishes the season with an 11-7 overall record, and the expectations will be even higher next year.

"We are going to be a tough team to beat," Keller said. "I guarantee that."