Fay has career day in Lynbrook girls' win

If there was a best supporting player award there is no doubt Lynbrook's Jen Fay would receive a nomination and she would probably win in a landslide.

Brooke Gerstman is Lynbrook's captain and leading scorer but Fay has been the most dependable player for the Owls. When Gerstman missed three games in January because or an ankle injury, Fay led Lynbrook in scoring in all three games.

With Gerstman facing double teams for the duration of Tuesday's game against North Shore, Fay realized she was going to have to contribute in a big way in order for her team to win.

"They ran a box-and-1 against Brooke and I knew I had to step up and I tried to make things happen," Fay said.

Fay, a freshman, scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and led No. 5 Lynbrook's second half comeback as the Owls squeaked by No. 4 North Shore, 69-68, in a thrilling Nassau Class A girls basketball quarterfinal Tuesday afternoon.

Lynbrook trailed the entire game - by as much as 16 right before halftime - but took the lead with 4:40 left. Fay scored 12 of her 31 points in the third quarter as the Owls outscored the Vikings 23-9 to tie the score at 52 heading into the fourth.

"[Fay] knew I was being double-teamed and she stepped up," said Gerstman, who had 21 points. "She's just a brick wall, she's so strong physically and can get her body in the right positions and she finishes."

Amanda Johansen led North Shore (16-3) with 23 points and Erin Sheerin added 15. Johansen converted on two three-point plays in the final 2:01 to pull the Vikings to within one. North Shore had numerous opportunities to retake the lead in the final 30 seconds, including a pair of free throws with 0.7 seconds left, but it was not to be.

Lynbrook plays No. 1 Division in the semifinals Tuesday at Freeport. Division defeated Lynbrook in the county final last year and Gerstman said the Owls will be looking to return the favor.

"We want to get them back for last year," she said. "It's all about revenge and I know we're both great basketball teams but I think we'll come out on top."