Jessica McEntee led the St. Andrew’s charge, as she attacked and…
By The Times-Ledger
With only five of their six players available, the Big. Green of St. Andrew’s marched into our Lady of Hope Gym to confront the two-time Brooklyn/Queens champs, Our Lady of the Angelus.
Jessica McEntee led the St. Andrew’s charge, as she attacked and moved the ball confidently. Although larger, the Angelus players were outrebounded early by McEntee and Stefanie Ciatti for St. Andrew’s. Angelus shuffled line-ups while St. Andrew’s methodically blocked shots, drove to the basket and out-hustled the Angelus team.
By half-time the crowd grasped the gravity of what was occurring as the two-time undefeated champs, Angelus, trailed by an insurmountable 35-18 deficit.
Jessica McEntee continued to dominate the court as she put up 29 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and went 18-for-28 from the line. Stefanie Ciotti added 12, Jessica Kroepfl had nine, Fotini Logos put in nine and Dana Ribaudo added two. as St. Andrew’s coasted to a 61-41 victory.
Amazingly, while St. Andrew’s was forced to play without reserves due to their five available players, it was Angelus who fouled their way into trouble, witnessing three players foul out and while their leading scorer was held to a mere eight points.
Tired and injured Andrew’s entered their final game the following day at St. Francis Prep H.S. gym against Our Lady of Hope.
In a titanic battle, Jessica McEntee held St. Andrew’s close, but Big Green trailed 24- 16 despite McEntee’s 13 halftime points. Stefanie Ciatti tried without success to overcome nausea and back pain, while Jessica Kroepfl came alive in the second half for Andrew’s. At the end of three quarters, the exhausted St. Andrew’s had narrowed the gap to 38-36, As the game wound down, a deep and healthy Hope team triple-teamed McEntee, who still put up 19 points, while Kroepfl had 13. Late in the game, St. Andrew’s trailed 43-41. A last shot by Kroepfl rolled off the rim and Hope squeezed by with the two-point win.
St. Andrew’s concluded its CYO 2000-2001 campaign with a 16-3 record and second place. Big Green is now preparing to challenge the best local PSAL talent in Beacon, P.A.L., and Jr. Knicks competition. Four of their five will play AAU ball this season and the only two eighth graders, Jessica McEntee and Jessica Kroepfl, will advance to high school in September. McEntee will play at Archbishop Molloy and Jessica Kroepfl will compete for St. Mary’s of Manhasset.
