Last Updated: February 3, 2010

Falcon Girls Basketball Four Game Win Streak

•• Dan Brennan

The Locust Valley High School girls’ basketball team has rebounded from a loss to Westbury High School on January 7 with four straight wins to climb into a tie for second place in Conference ABC-II. On January 11, the Falcons squeaked by Oyster Bay High School 38-36. The Falcons opened up a lead of 10-4 in the first quarter and never fell behind in a game that they seemed to have wrapped up in spite of the low scoring. But, with only three minutes left to play in the game, the Lady Baymen overcame a five-point deficit to tie the game with 12 seconds left to play. Keri Bongiovanni who had thirteen points for Oyster Bay, made the three-pointer to tie the score at 36-36. The Falcons came back down the court with barely a chance to get the lead back. Alexis Monseratte, who is the Falcons leading scorer, had been shut down throughout the game, but made the shot that counted the most hitting; a short jumper with only two seconds left on the clock. Senior center Isabel Pagliaccio, led Locust Valley with 11 points and freshman Brooke Spallino had 10 points. Joshlyn Grant led Oyster Bay with 14 points.
The Falcons traveled to North Shore High School for a January 14 contest and earned their second win in a row defeating the Vikings 62-56. It was 52-39 after three quarters of play. Seniors Isabel Pagliaccio and Alexis Monserrate led the Falcons with 18 points each. Isabel also had 10 rebounds and four blocked shots while Alexis also had five assists.
Locust Valley had a tough assignment in its next game as the Falcons played first place Roosevelt High School at home on January 20. Roosevelt came into the game with a 7-0 record but that didn’t deter the Falcons from winning their third consecutive game. Locust Valley kept the game close, trailing the Rough Riders 9-8 after the first quarter. Locust Valley was up 22-19 at the half. Roosevelt chipped away at that lead to come within one point, 33-32, at the end of the third quarter. It was close throughout the fourth quarter but Senior Courtney Morgan hit six free throws in the final minutes of the game to put it away for the Falcons. Courtney had 10 points for the game. Alexis Monserrate had 12 points and Brooke Spallino had 11 points for Locust Valley.
The Falcons had an easy game defeating Seaford High School 53-43 on January 22. The game was not as close as the score might indicate as Locust Valley emptied its bench in the fourth quarter while Seaford would not concede defeat leaving its starters in against the Falcon substitutes. Leading 24-18 entering the second half of play, the Falcon defense completely shut down Seaford, holding the Vikings to only two third quarter points. Alexis Monserrate had a game high 16 points and Courtney Morgan had 12 points and Isabel Pagliaccio scored 11 points with 10 rebounds. Locust Valley currently has a 5-3 Conference record and is 8-4 overall.
The Falcons hit a snag on January 29 losing for the second time this season to Roslyn High School. Locust Valley held a slim 10-8 advantage after one quarter of play but really struggled in the second quarter scoring only four points while Roslyn scored 14 points to take a 22-14 lead. The Falcons made it close in the second half but couldn’t overcome Roslyn and lost the game 41-39. Alexis Monserrate led the Falcons with 16 points.