On Thursday, the girls’ basketball team improved to 11-2 on the year with a 49-37 non-league victory at Eastport-South Manor to wrap up their pre-Christmas slate.

After a program record 10-0 start to begin the year, the Bears lost back-to-back games by just four points each to large schools St. John the Baptist and Lindenhurst. On Thursday, they sought to finish 2023 on a high note and did just that despite an uncharacteristic slow start.

In the opening quarter, the Bears mustered just five points, by far their lowest output of the season. One of the Bears’ calling cards this year has been a quick start that mired teams in early deficits, but instead, the Sharks took an 11-5 lead into the second quarter.

The Bears found their groove in the second period, outscoring the hosts 15-3 to take a 20-14 lead at the half. They extended their margin in a 19-14 third frame before closing out the win with a 10-9 final quarter.

Cassandra Rohan led all scorers with 19 points, to go along with 12 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season. She added 3 assists. Meaghan Doherty scored 12 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished 2 assists. Her two 3-pointers upped her Long Island-leading total to 33. No other shooter has more than 25. Payton Martin (10 pts, 1 reb), Abby Smith (4 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast), and Quinn Davey (4 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast) rounded out the Blue & White attack.

The Bears are back in action on January 4 in a non-league match-up at Amityville.

---