NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - After having Haldane’s number in their two previous meetings this season, North Salem girls basketball looked poised to play the tape one more time in the sectional semifinals on March 3.
Squaring off with their rivals at the Westchester County Center, the Tigers had to contend with a hungry Blue Devil team while missing a key offensive weapon in junior guard Noemi Torres who was out of the lineup with an illness.
Torres scored 36 points in the previous matchup with Haldane on Jan. 31, and her absence was felt.
“In the earlier matchups we were able to set the tone on the defensive end and disrupt them from any offensive flow,” explained Coach Elvin Gutierrez. “Not having our best player on the floor made it difficult for us to set the tone, and it became more of an even matchup where they were able to execute their offense.”
Regardless, the squad refused to back down and kept pace with Haldane to take a 22-20 lead into the half.
The second half belonged to the Blue Devils, as they slowly pulled away and withstood pressure from the Tigers in the fourth quarter to take a 48-43 win and close out North Salem’s season.
8th grader Kerri Nemeth led the scoring with 20 points, going 10 for 12 from the free throw line, while freshman Maddy Horel had 9 points in the effort.
With the season over, Gutierrez took time to reflect on his first year at the helm of the Tigers and looked to the future.
“We are a very young team, and losing four seniors last year, we knew we had to start all over and set some groundwork for good habits that will translate into success on the court,” he explained. “I am hoping to continue our quest for improvement day in and day out, as well as the maturity of a young team growing into their perspectives roles.”
North Salem will now bid farewell to seniors Ruby Molina and Lauren Ndreu.
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