BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Coming off the season opening victory over Cranford Friday night, Gov. Livingston girls' basketball team continued the winning momentum, downing Scotch Plains, 59-42, Saturday at home.
"We are coming back with losing four of our key starters, we had to figure out how to work around that. Play more offense and work on the defense getting the rebounds and moving quickly across the court," said sophomore Lauren Sorrano. "Losing some of our key players was tough but it made us realize we need to step up and fill their shoes," said senior Patrice DiTommaso. "In the last two games we gave it everything we had and didn't stop pushing until the game ended."
Senior Katie Reilly lit the boards for Gov. Livingston with a 3-point shot to start the scoring momentum for the Lady Highlanders in the first quarter. Off the bench, Sorrano took control of the ball grabbing the steals and rebounds, passing to Hayley Berliner to score three quick baskets. Aggressive steals causing Scotch Plains turnovers led to the Highlander's commanding 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Scotch Plains started the second quarter changing their defensive tactic slowing Gov. Livingston's game, holding them to 9 points in the second quarter. Scotch Plains quickly hit shots closing in on Gov. Livingston's lead. After frustrating foul calls, the Lady Highlanders settled down sinking outside shots. Senior Patrice DiTommaso ended the quarter hitting a 3-pointer going into half-time leading 30-26.
"We practice our defenses, GL is a very good basketball team and they give us a great game every time we play them. There are definitely things that we need to work on, I have faith that we are going to improve throughout the season," said Scotch Plains Head Coach Cammile Mamolite.
Gov. Livingston went on a 3-pointer streak in the third quarter to propel their lead to 15. Starting the quarter, DiTommaso hit the 3-pointer and followed it up with another advancing the lead to 10 points. Sorrano sank the third 3-pointer late in the quarter followed with a lay-up by Berliner.
Scotch Plains kept their focus and drive in the fourth quarter with game-high scorer, Micaiah Battle, adding eight points to her tally. It wasn't enough to make a dent in Gov. Livingston's commanding lead. The Lady Highlanders continued their successful run of outside shots and 3-pointers by Berliner and Sorrano to finish with a 59-42 victory.
