The PMHS girls varsity basketball team made it back to the Section One playoffs as second seed this year and started the campaign on Tuesday with a 56-44 quarterfinal win over Irvington High School, the seventh seed in the tournament.
Pelham took a quick 14-4 lead in the first five minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Irvington shrank Pelham’s advantage to 17-12.
Through the second period, the Pelicans built a 13-point lead, and after half time maintained their momentum, taking the score to 48-32 as the fourth quarter began. Irvington cut the lead to ten—50-40 with 4:16 left on the clock—but after two free throws from senior captain Taylor Green and sophomore Emma Namba, a late three-point shot from Namba and another free throw from her, Pelham sealed the victory.
Green led the team with 32 points, followed by Namba (10), freshman Colleen Sheehy (9) and senior Charlotte Marion (6). The team recorded 46 rebounds, 11 assists, 9 blocks, 2 steals and a 33% field goal percentage, while shooting 32% from three-point range and 50% from the free-throw line.
“I was very proud of our team for this win,” said Green. “We all knew how badly we wanted it, and all thirteen of us were ready to get out on the court and show it.”
The Pelicans will play the semifinal against number 3 seed Hendrick Hudson at the Westchester County Center on Saturday at 12 noon.
“I think we are going to approach the semifinal game with the same approach as today,” said Green. “Our heart and hustle shone bright in this win, and that is exactly what we are going to bring to the County Center.”
