Davis hurt, but C. Moriches takes title

Everything was going according to plan for Center Moriches; the Devils were leading by 16 and riding a 15-0 run when Amber Davis attempted a three-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds left in the half.

Davis missed, but that was meaningless in the big picture. Center Moriches' leading scorer landed awkwardly and was down on the court in pain.

"I was trying to shoot so fast, and when I came back down, I twisted my ankle,'' Davis said.

Davis did not return, finishing with 13 points and six rebounds as Center Moriches defeated Glenn, 35-28, in the Suffolk Small Schools championship Friday at Farmingdale State. The Devils repeated as Small Schools champs and dealt Glenn (20-1) its first loss, but Davis' injury was the main concern.

"She has a Grade 1 or 2 sprain," Center Moriches coach Rich Alifano said. "We think she'll be good for Tuesday's game. She will not be playing on Sunday.

"It's a little sour apples because Amber's hurt and I don't know what the extent of that is going to be."

Center Moriches (19-2) plays Deer Park in the Suffolk overall championship at 1 p.m. Sunday at Farmingdale State. The Devils play Cold Spring Harbor in the Long Island Class B championship at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at SUNY-Old Westbury.

SEE PHOTOSCenter Moriches 35, Glenn 28

Davis, who averages 15.4 points to lead the Devils, was optimistic about returning for the Long Island championship.

"I feel OK. I'm just hopeful I can be ready for Tuesday," she said. "I'm a little sad but I just got to have faith - I'll be fine."

The Devils held a 24-14 lead at halftime but managed only 11 points in the second half without Davis. Defense kept the Devils in control as they held Glenn's top scorer, Allison McKenna, to a season-low three points.

"We dedicated two girls on McKenna," Alifano said. "We figured don't let her beat us and we had a chance."

Kelsey Glanzman, who guarded McKenna, had nine points and six rebounds. Glanzman said the plan against the Glenn forward was to "keep her on the outside - on the perimeter - and keep her off the boards."

Monica Eugene had eight points for Glenn, which plays the winner of Saturday's Nassau Class A title game between Division and Garden City in the Long Island Class A championship at 6 p.m. Friday at Hofstra.