SSPP girls hoops win two games last week

The Saint Peter and Paul girls' varsity basketball team increased their record to 6-2 with a resounding 47-28 win against Fourteen Holy Helpers last Thursday.

Both teams played solidly during the first half with the Knights leading by only five points.

In the second half, the Knights came alive and dominated the game. The starting front line of Alyssa Bellus, Julia Collins, and Paige Hanley pulled in rebounds, blocked shots, and forced Fourteen Holy Helpers to rush their shooting. All three girls scored in double figures with Bellus scoring 13 points and Collins and Hanley scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Alexis Parry, Claire Haumesser, and Maury Fields were brought in for relief, giving a needed rest to the frontline in a fast-paced game.

The six frontline girls almost completely shut down their opponents in the fourth quarter, allowing only two points to be scored. Fields added two points of her own to the front six scoring.

Once again, the SSPP guards had a field day on the court. Olivia Jakson, Samantha Basile, Marla Calabro, and Jessica Lynett harried their opponents on defense, while making a number of fine offensive plays leading to baskets. Jakson's four and Basile's six rounded out the Knights scoring punch. Hope Genco, Kathleen Ruggiero, Victoria Mendiola and Jessica Clarke came in for relief in the second half and continued the fine defensive abilities of the SSPP guards.

Once again, a solid team effort gave the Knights another win.

SSPP 26, Infant of Prague 22

The Saint Peter and Paul girls' basketball team faced a strong Infant of Prague squad on Jan. 29.

In a tight first half, the Knights found themselves two points behind a powerful opponent. Alyssa Bellus, playing at center, dropped in eight of her game-high 15 points in the first half to keep the Knights close.

The second half saw a surge by SSPP to take the lead and go on to win, 26-22.

Julia Collins stepped up in the second half, scoring five points. Paige Hanley, Alexis Parry, and Claire Haumesser kept the IOP squad at bay, pulling down almost all of the defensive rebounds. Jessica Lynett, Samantha Basile, and Marla Calabro, playing at guard, buzzed the opposition during the second half, causing some missed passes and hurried shots. Basile added four points and Calabro added two. Guards Olivia Jakson, Hope Genco, Kathleen Ruggiero, and Victoria Mendiola gave it their all, staying with the IOP team, while Michelle Haumesser and Maury Fields bolstered the front line in yet another team effort for the win.

With two regular season games left, the Knights are gearing up for a tough postseason.