HSMSE Lady Dragons earn first girls' basketball playoff victory in school history

Lady Dragons after their victory / HSMSE Sports

The Lady Dragons of the High School for Math, Science and Engineering felt right at home Thursday evening in their first round PSAL B Division girls’ basketball playoff game at South Bronx Prep. The Lady Dragons were unaffected by the rabid supporters of South Bronx Prep en route to a 56-35 victory.

The Lady Dragons, who were forced to play as the home team on the road due to a scheduling conflict with City College, came out with a furious full court press that put them up 6-0 after the first two minutes of the game. It was a lead they would never relinquish.

“I think they were zoned in more than anything,” said head coach David Scheiman. “They were just emotionally ready.”

Prep’s Cougars cut the Lady Dragons lead to five points one minute into the fourth quarter, narrowing the score to 36-31; however, they couldn’t get any closer due to the relentless pressure of HSMSE’s defense. With five minutes left in the game, sophomore Hillary Rodriguez hit a three pointer, stole the ensuing inbounds pass, and immediately scored on a lay-up to put the Lady Dragons ahead 43-31. Her five-second, five-point barrage, effectively secured the first playoff win in the Manhattan school’s history.

Hillary Rodriguez / HSMSE Sports

Standing in the way of the Lady Dragons playoff run are the third-seeded Phoenix of Millennium High School. The Phoenix posted a regular season record of 15-1, easily conquering the Manhattan South Division. The two teams will face off on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at John Jay Campus’ Gym in Brooklyn.

With the spring break approaching, Coach Scheiman will let the team enjoy a much needed vacation before focusing their energies on Millennium.

“When they get back to school,” Scheiman said, “it’s time to hit the ground running in preparation.”

Team	1	2	3	4				Total
HS For Math, Science and Engineering @ CCNY	15	9	12	20				56
South Bronx Preparatory	9	8	12	6				35

HS For Math, Science and Engineering @ CCNY
Player	Asst	Rebounds O-T	Fg2	Fg3	Ftm-Fta	Points
ALEX WEST	6	2-4	4	1	2-5	13
ANNABELLE SHULTZ	3	10-21	11	0	4-13	26
ANYA MARCHANT	0	4-12	2	0	0-2	4
GALIT WIENER	0	2-6	1	0	0-0	2
HILLARY RODRIGUEZ	0	4-10	3	1	0-0	9
JADE ARDINEZ	0	1-1	1	0	0-0	2
Total	9	23-54	22	2	6-20	56

South Bronx Preparatory
Player	Asst	Rebounds O-T	Fg2	Fg3	Ftm-Fta	Points
ANGIE ORTIZ ERAZO	6	0-0	2	0	0-1	4
BIANCA MONTANEZ	0	0-0	0	0	0-0	0
DAWN FRANKLIN	1	12-27	4	0	0-0	8
DEBBY SILVA	0	0-0	0	0	0-0	0
DIAMOND FULLARD	0	0-4	1	0	0-0	2
IVANA MONTANO	0	5-5	0	0	0-0	0
KATERA ROBINSON	1	1-7	7	0	0-2	14
SKYLAR HAWKINS	0	0-0	0	0	0-0	0
TAYLOR HAWKINS	0	0-0	1	1	0-0	5
ZAHRA MEDINA	0	0-0	1	0	0-0	2
Total	8	18-43	16	1	0-3	35