LIBERTY – With regular season winter basketball winding down the last few games are crucial for most teams. The Redhawks and Comets first met this year back in January. Although the game was slightly closer in this meeting the outcome was the same. On Monday night the Redhawks sealed a 37-26 home court win over the Comets after a very physical game. The Redhawks started out with a bang early in the first quarter. A 12-0 run would put the home team up 14-2 at the close of the first eight minutes.

After a few minutes of both teams trying to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter, it would be Fallsburg’s Alana Gjeka scoring an easy layup underneath that finally broke the dry spell. As time wound down in the quarter, the Comets had narrowed the gap to an exciting eight-point game at halftime.

After the break both teams struggled to find the flow offensively. Fallsburg’s Layla Herman broke the ice with a quick basket in the paint. The impressive play of the point guards on both Fallsburg and Liberty continued to push the game throughout the night feeding the ball to the wings and getting the ball inside.

 Julissa Velez of Liberty played a well-rounded game, mixing up scoring down low and hitting the short range jumper. Velez ended the night with 14-points to lead all scorers. 

The final quarter was a fierce contest of will. The score was 35-22 with Liberty holding the lead, when a foul by the Redhawks sent Comets center, Marilyn Santos to the line. Santos was steady and consistent at the stripe all evening. 

With a skilled give and go off an inbound pass from Fallsburg’s Joslyn Smith to teammate Paolo Melendez Deras the Comets would sink a 3-pointer from the corner to bring the game within nine. The Redhawks would go on to win the game by nine and secure their win over the Comets.

Redhawks coach, Levar Hamilton said, “The girls played with great teamwork and defensive intensity against their well-coached rival.” 

Liberty and Fallsburg will both participate in the 16th Annual BCANY vs Cancer Classic at Monticello High School on Friday and Saturday respectively. Check today’s sports calendar on the back page for times .