L.I. Girls Top NYC @ Metro Classic

BRIARWOOD, NY - In the girls' Fundamental Sports Training (FST) Metro Classic, the pre-season All-Star tilt between Long Island and New York City's top high school players, the area talent heated up the hardwood at Archbishop Molloy High School, helping the game live up to all the hype.

But it was team Long island who took home the victory, beating the girls from Gotham, 88-82, on Sunday.

Both squads played to a first quarter 18-18 deadlock, but NYC was able to surge ahead, and grabbed a 44-34 advantage at halftime. However, Long Island slowly chipped away at the deficit until back-to-back buckets by St. Anthony's Chastity Taylor tied the contest at 53 late in the third period. From there, Long Island built a 63-59 lead to end the third. NYC's Sierra Calhoun did manage to knot the game at 78, but Long Island outscored its opponents 10-4 to close out the affair.

Long Island's Arella Guirantes, a five-foot-eleven junior guard from Bellport High School, earned the Classic's MVP honors, dropping a game-high 20 points while point guard Lauren "Boogie" Brozoski was her spectacular self with 19 points in the win.

Nazareth point guard Bianca Cuevas led NYC with 17 points, with Duke-bound Calhoun contributing 15.

On an interesting side note, only one hoopster from the PSAL, Jessica Glaz of Scholars Academy, was named to NYC's roster. Debbie Brajevich, head coach of North Babylon High School girls team and one of the organizers of the event, said more players were invited, but declined because of previous commitments.

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