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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. The Irvington girls basketball team, led by Alexis Martins and Brittni Lai, charged past Blind Brook in the second half Saturday to win its third consecutive Section 1 Class B Championship in a 68-33 victory at the Westchester County Center.
It was hard work out there tonight and Blind Brook played very well, especially early in the game, Irvington Coach Gina Maher said. This is a new group that has really learned to play well together, so each time we win it is very special. Each team is unique. And winning here (County Center) never gets old.
Martins was a force inside, scoring 21 points and grabbing 19 rebounds, and teammate Lai ignited two extended scoring runs, adding 19 points and seven assists for the Bulldogs.
Coach Maher kids me and says Im padding my rebound stats if I dont finish after the first offensive rebound, Martins said. I love rebounding because it doesnt depend on talent as much as hard work. It was tough in there. All the girls played hard and were thrilled to win again.
The Bulldogs (19-1), who are also the two-time defending Class B state champions, earned a post in the state regional playoffs where they will meet the Section 9 representative Tuesday at the County Center at 8:15 p.m.
Martins went to work early on the boards, grabbing five rebounds and scoring seven points on the inside to lift the Bulldogs to a 17-8 lead after one quarter. She finished the first half with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Lai scored six straight points and assisted Martins on looping pass inside in the last two minutes of the first half to stretch the Bulldogs lead from 22-17 to 30-19 at halftime. Lai scored nine more in the third quarter as the Bulldogs outscored the Trojans 18-8 in the quarter to take a commanding 48-27 lead.
We got a little down a couple of times early in the game and I always try to pick things up by running the offense well and making plays, Lai said. This is a team that plays well together and we all try to contribute. Lexi (Martins) is always incredible. She works so hard.
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