Yesterday evening, the two Titans of PSAA girls’ basketball finally squared off with first place in the PSAA on the line. A January 19 tilt in Swanson Gymnasium was postponed due to wintry weather, so yesterday’s match-up in Locust Valley provided the much-anticipated yearly measuring stick for both squads.

The Bears went into the game without Cassandra Rohan, who has been a dominant presence in the paint for the Bears with 12 double-doubles on the season. Despite her absence, the Bears had no trouble with their rival in a 57-29 win.

The Brook built a 10-5 lead after the first quarter thanks to eight points from Abby Smith and a bucket from Meaghan Doherty. Portledge won the second frame 13-12 behind a trio of 3-pointers that gave the Bears a slight 22-18 edge at the break.

In the third, the Bears caught fire, scoring 19 in the frame behind 10 points from Doherty and a stifling defense that allowed just 11 second-half points. The third-quarter surge gave the Blue & White a 41-25 margin heading into the final eight minutes, and they emphatically put the Panthers away in a 16-4 frame, again led by 10 points from Doherty.

The win gives the Bears sole possession of first place in the PSAA and the driver’s seat position for a third straight regular season championship.

Doherty led all scorers with 25 points, including 12 rebounds and 5 three-pointers that upped her season total to 53, good enough for second on all of Long Island. Smith scored a season-high 17 points, filling a crucial offensive gap left by Rohan’s absence. Payton Martin (9), Jocelyn McCrain (4), and Quinn Davey (2) also provided key offense for the Bears.

The Brook is back in action on Saturday in a non-league match-up at Our Lady of Mercy.

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