Peekskill Girls' Historic Basketball Season Ends With a 53-48 Loss in Albany

The greatest girls’ sports season in Peekskill history came to an end today with the Lady Red Devils losing 53-48 to Archbishop Molloy in the Class A Federation girls' basketball championship in at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Asia Jackson scored a team-high 15 points. Tasia Nola and Jazmin Garcia, in the final game of their high school careers, scored 14 points each. Garcia surpassed the 1,000-point career mark with a field goal in the second quarter of the game.

The game was tight throughout, but the Red Devils couldn't overtake the Queens powerhouse. Peekskill and Molloy were tied 8-8 at the end of the first quarter. Peekskill trailed 20-18 at halftime, and 33-30 at the end of the third quarter.

The Red Devils (24-2) came into the Class A Federation game on a high, having beaten defending state champ Averill Park (13-12) in the Class A state championship on March 19 at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The win gave Peekskill its first state championship in any girls team sport. View a photo gallery of that game .

Coach Rodney Headley Jr. praised his team's hard work and dedication after that game and thanked the Peekskill community for their support of the team throughout the season.

"Our community followed us the whole way," said Headley Jr. “I am definitely proud to be part of Peekskill."

Members of the 2010-2011 Peekskill girls basketball state championship team:

Players: Sheridan Taylor, Tasia Nolan, Kiana Letsinger, Jazmin Garcia, Asia Jackson, Dottie Bradshaw, Tanisha Crew, Shaina Iton, Shonae Draper, Aubrey Dabbs, Latisha Clark, Troi Nolan, Samantha Jackson, Adriane Jackson and Morgan Beechum.

Coaches/staff: Rodney Headley Jr., Rodney Headley Sr., James Smith, Kim Saxton, Sidney Taylor (scorekeeper), Porky Male (manager)