Girls Basketball: Tuckers top Monarchs in clash of league leaders

The Mattituck High School girls basketball team claimed Suffolk County League VII supremacy Thursday night.

In a battle of teams with unbeaten league records, the Tuckers sprinted off to a 17-point first-quarter lead before holding off a late charge by Bishop McGann-Mercy for a 63-43 home victory.

Liz Dwyer led the Tuckers (7-0, 6-0) with 20 points and nine rebounds. Katie Hoeg added 17 points and nine rebounds and Jane DiGregorio tallied 8 of her season-high 10 points in the second half.

Mattituck’s press rattled McGann-Mercy (5-2, 5-1) into eight turnovers in the opening period as the Tuckers grabbed an 18-1 advantage before settling for a 20-4 margin after eight minutes. Dwyer dominated the inside with 8 points, while Hoeg knocked down a pair of 15-foot baskets and a one-hander off a turnover for 6 points.

The Monarchs stopped the bleeding in the second quarter, outscoring the Tuckers, 9-6, to close to within 26-13 at the half as Mia Behrens scored 4 of her team-high 17 points.

The third quarter turned into a personal battle between Behrens and Hoeg. Behrens, a junior guard, canned a pair of treys to finish with 9 points in the period. Dwyer demonstrated her all-around game by sinking a 3-point shot, converting a rebound and four shots for 8 points as the Tuckers increased their lead to 48-32.

After the Monarchs pulled to within 52-42 with 4 minutes 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Dwyer sealed the game with a driving shot and three consecutive free throws after she was fouled on a 3-point attempt for a 57-42 advantage with 1:41 remaining.

These two teams will meet again at McGann-Mercy’s gym on Jan. 13.

Photo caption: Mattituck’s Corinne Reda takes aim while Bishop McGann-Mercy’s Melina Santacroce closes in on her. (Credit: Garret Meade)