Cohen's all-around game leads W. Melville
Ward Melville G Caysea Cohen #11 puts up the jumper for two over Copiague G Domyae Ivory Byrd #1. (Dec. 15, 2011) Credit: George A. Faella
Caysea Cohen led a fast break. Then she pulled up and made a three-pointer. After that she converted on a pair of critical free throws to give her team the lead. The Ward Melville senior managed to do it all and that doesn't even include the first three quarters of play.
Cohen scored a career-high 33 points along with seven rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead host Ward Melville over Copiague, 61-54 in overtime, in Suffolk non-league girls basketball Thursday night.
"I was taking shots I normally wouldn't -- outside the three-point line with a defender on me -- I don't normally do that," Cohen said. "I guess I was just feeling it."
Cohen's effort nearly came in a loss when Copiague's Mikaiya Moore (24 points) hit a long two-pointer as time expired to tie it at 49 and force overtime. Many of the players on both benches and fans initially thought it was a three and the Eagles had won but Cohen saw the referees had immediately ruled the basket was a two-pointer.
"I looked straight to the ref to see if it was good and they said 'two,' " Cohen said. "She was lucky to make that shot. I was ready for overtime and I was going to win."
The Patriots (1-1) were able to regain control in overtime, first on a three-point play by Vanessa Pryor (nine points) and then a pair of baskets from Meagan Murtaugh, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
"What that says is I have four seniors out there who have been on the team 3-plus years, some of them four years, and they held their composure," Ward Melville coach Lawrence Combs said of his team's ability to regroup after Copiague tied it at the end of regulation.
Ward Melville controlled the game in the first half and had a 22-13 lead at the break. Copiague (1-1) chipped away at the deficit and took a 36-35 lead with 6:33 to go in the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands five times after that as the teams traded baskets.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
