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Nazareth finishes off Lewis in overtime

Nazareth finishes off Lewis in overtime
Photo Stephen Zitolo

Nazareth is hoping an overtime win against Francis Lewis signals a change of fortune for the struggling team.

Senior guard Shalix Hines’s six-straight points in overtime helped the Lady Kingsmen basketball team pull together a bounce-back 67–63 victory against the host Patriots at the Francis Lewis Winter Ball on Dec. 18. Hines’s spurt was part of a 10–0 run Nazareth run in overtime.

“She has a huge impact on the game,” said senior forward Erykah Russell. “She makes us all look better. She’s a good point guard and sees the floor very well.”

The win was bittersweet, however, as Nazareth learned Virginia Commonwealth University-bound senior guard Niya Johnson — its leading scorer — will be out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

“The team chemistry had to be built over again,” said Nazareth assistant coach Dwight Shaw, who filled in for the vacationing Ron Kelley.

Lewis star Sierra Green, who scored a game-high 29 points, found her shooting stroke again, scoring 11 of the team’s 15 fourth-quarter points. Nazareth dispersed its offensive production — Hines, sophomore Shonnyvelle Regalado, and seniors Erykah Russell and Alexis Sykes all had four or more points.

With 12 seconds left and the score tied at 53–53, a pass went through Francis Lewis sophomore Sabrina Vitale’s legs, giving Nazareth a chance to win the game in regulation, but Hines and Green both threw up unsuccessful shots before overtime.

In the extra session, Nazareth jumped out to a 10–0 lead behind Hines. Francis Lewis tried to get back into the game and brought the score to 65–63 with seven seconds left. However, two Regalado free throws sealed the contest for Naz.

Russell scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds — Hines had 15 points and dished out six assists. Regalado pitched in with 15 points of her own.

Green was unstoppable, scoring 12 of the Patriots’ 15 first-quarter points to give her club a 15–11 lead. Nazareth answered by starting the next frame on a 7–1 run and forcing eight turnovers in the quarter to take a 25–24 lead into the half.

At the 3:39 mark of the third quarter, Francis Lewis finished up a 7–0 run to take a 34–27 lead. Nazareth didn’t let then game get away, pulling within three points heading into the final quarter — but the Lady Kingsmen didn’t let the lead get away.

“In the fourth quarter, we turned them over, and we got the ball, and we got into rhythm,” Shaw said. “In overtime, we went up 10, and we kept the lead and sustained the lead. That’s all we can ask for.”

Bishop Loughlin 60, Elizabeth Seton (Md.) 45: Lynette Taitt and Skydajah Patterson each scored 14 points for Loughlin, which also beat Capital Prep (Connecticut) at the Winter Ball. Milicia Reid chipped in 13 points.

Filling in: Nazareth assistant coach Dwight Shaw led the team to victory while headman Ron Kelley was on vacation.
Photo by Joseph Staszewski