STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Tottenville won the battle of PSAL 4A Conference powers versus Murry Bergtraum Saturday, posting a 63-49 home win behind the performances of Brianna Ardolic (18 points, seven rebounds and two steals) and Gabriella Ortiz (16 points).
“Murry Bergtraum is a tough team,” said Pirates head coach Jessica Althoff, whose squad improved to 8-0 in the league and 11-2 overall. “Like us, they press the entire game and are physical in the paint and rebound the ball well.”
Bergtraum of Manhattan fell to 8-2 in the league. The Lady Blazers lost to unbeaten Thurgood Marshall earlier this season.
Grace Anderson and Araya Lichtman broke the press well and looked down the court for Ardolic and Ortiz.
Anderson finished with 10 points, six steals, eight rebounds and six assists, while Lichtman also had 10 points, five assists and three steals.
“(Anderson) was all over the court today doing the other stuff we needed her to do,” said Althoff of her top player. “Grace and Araya did a nice just pushing the ball and seeing down the court.”
Defensively, the Pirate defense rose to the occasion to keep a high-scoring offense in check.
“Murry Bergtraum pushed the ball; we needed to make adjustments and other girls stepped up well when we needed them to,” Althoff said. “I’m proud of the girls — how they came out strong and played awesome well as a team. They moved the ball and waited for the right shots they didn’t force shots we didn’t need.”
The Pirates have a full slate of games this week, starting with New Dorp at home Tuesday.