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South Shore falls in state playoffs despite record 46 points from Fraser

Nazareth Takes Home a Division Title

March 31, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brianna Fraser set a New York State Federation tournament record when she scored 46 points, but South Shore still lost to Christ the King 71-67. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese
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South Shore’s Brianna Fraser set a New York State Federation tournament record when she scored 46 points, but it wasn’t enough for South Shore. The team lost 71-67 to Christ the King in the Class AA girls basketball semifinals in Albany last Friday.

“It was an absolutely incredible performance,” South Shore’s head coach Anwar Gladden said of the McDonald’s All-American. “Her whole playoff run has been incredible with the way she has been able to take over games.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for us to get a win, but, especially for the fans, it was really exciting to watch.”

Fraser’s 46 points breaks the previous record that Michelle Blot of Colonie set back in 2001.

South Shore had a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter and led 59-51 with 3:53 left to play, but All-Brooklyn point guard Amanda Cruz fouled out with about five minutes to play, and it changed the game.

“That changed our defensive assignments,” Gladden said of Cruz fouling out. “Cruz was really controlling the tempo of the game. If she stays in the game there then Brianna probably scores 50 and we win.”

This was South Shore’s first appearance in the state tournament after it won the Public School Athletic League city title two weeks ago. Gladden said now that he has a taste for the state tournament, another city title just won’t do.

“That state title was nearly within our grasp, and, to be honest, it was pretty exciting,” Gladden said. “You always want the city title, and you don’t want to take that for granted, but after getting that close all you want to do is to get back there and win it all.”

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Nazareth High School took home the state Federation Class A championship when it beat Williamsville South 64-54 in Albany on Sunday.

Nazareth played all season in the Catholic High School Athletic Associations AA division, but after a disappointing season where it finished with a 9-19 record, they were forced to play for the A division title. Still, the Lady Kingsmen made the most of it by winning the title.

“It’s so easy to give up and give in after the season we had,” Nazareth coach Ron Kelley told the Daily News. “It’s Nazareth High School, there is an expectation and pride that we have. We’re proud and happy to keep the tradition going and maybe next year, we’ll play for the AA.”

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Brooklyn College Academy also suffered disappointment during the tournament as it lost to Mount St. Mary’s (Buffalo) 56-41 during the Class B semifinals on Saturday.

Brooklyn College Academy won its first girls PSAL title in the school’s history this season after it finished back-to-back undefeated regular seasons.

 

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