Seger fills in for Boogie as LuHi rallies

ALBANY -- Exactly five minutes remained in the fourth quarter Saturday when Long Island Lutheran's point guard, eighth-grader Boogie Brozoski, crumpled to the court in front of her team's bench, writhing in pain and screaming, "My hip popped out!"

The Crusaders trailed Irvington by seven points in the state Federation Class B championship game, and they were looking for help.

"We knew we needed someone to step up. Boogie is our best ballhandler," Sarah Seger said. "I knew I needed to contribute."

Seger contributed much more than anyone could have predicted. The 5-9 senior did not miss a shot -- 3-for-3 from the field, 2-for-2 from the foul line -- scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds to help the Crusaders rally for a dramatic 57-55 victory and the school's first Federation title.

"Everyone's mind-set changed," said Seger, whose swish from the corner launched a game-deciding 15-0 fourth-quarter run. "You could feel the adrenaline. We hit shots, we transitioned into our zone defense. Everything clicked."

While Seger and the Crusaders were clicking, Brozoski (six points, three steals, two assists) -- who left with Lutheran trailing 35-28 -- was being taken to the emergency room at Albany Medical Center. According to Lutheran school officials, she was diagnosed with a right hip strain, no fracture and no dislocation. She was released and allowed to ride home by car with her mother rather than take the team bus.

During the stoppage in play, when Brozoski was assisted off the court, coach Rich Slater said he told his players, " 'Don't worry about Boogie. She's the toughest kid in America. She'll be mad if we don't go out there and play our best.' It was a critical time in the game, but Sarah came in and got the job done.

SEE PHOTOSLuHi girls win Federation title

"Who would have thought it?'' Slater said. "I told Sarah, 'You just never know when your time will come.' I couldn't be happier for her."