Sullivan scores 25 to lead Garden City girls

Kim Ryan is a big part of the Garden City offense with 28 three-pointers on the season. Wantagh decided to key on her and not let her hoist shots.

The goal was achieved as she attempted just one three-pointer. But the problem for Wantagh was Barbara Sullivan.

In a game in which everyone else struggled offensively, Sullivan excelled with 25 points to carry Garden City to a 36-27 road win over Wantagh Tuesday in Nassau Conference A-I girls basketball.

"They were doing a good job on Kim and we usually shoot a lot of threes," Sullivan said. "We had to change up the offense a bit. After halftime, I knew I needed to step up. It was a close game and a big conference game. Someone needed to."

The senior guard-forward scored 13 points in a first half that Garden City led 19-14. Sullivan hit a jumper with 3:27 left in the third quarter to give Garden City (9-2, 5-1) a 26-16 lead. Wantagh came back, with Breanna Smith's basket capping a 7-0 run, making it 26-23 with 1:35 left in the quarter.

Sullivan answered immediately with a jumper and Katie Trimmer scored on a drive to extend the lead to 30-23.

Sullivan scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, including grabbing a rebound off a Wantagh missed three-pointer and taking the ball the length of the court for a 35-28 lead with 3:08 left in the game.

SEE PHOTOSGarden City 36, Wantagh 27

"When we're not getting points, we have to rely on her," Garden City coach Anthony Sparacia said. "She's a special player. You could see her leadership. They did a great job on Ryan. When that happens, Barbara has to step up."

Sullivan had nine points in a 13-7 second quarter as Wantagh didn't have an answer for her.

"We tried to throw a different body on her," Wantagh coach Stan Bujacich said. "She wore us down a little bit. When we jumped at her with the one extra step, she goes by you."

Wantagh (7-4, 4-2) has played well despite being without its leading scorer from last season. Kaleigh Craig tore her ACL playing lacrosse and is out for the season, but several players have helped fill the void to keep Wantagh in the hunt for the conference crown.

"Our goal is to hold teams under 40," Bujacich said. "You have to make shots against a 2-3 zone and then we gave up a lot of rebounds. The defense was there."

But the story was Sullivan, who also had seven steals and six rebounds.

"She's the best athlete on the floor," Sparacia said. "She can shoot, handle and drive. She defends. As much as we rely on her, we need to have that supporting cast. We have it, but we're not consistent."

Garden City has won five consecutive games and hasn't lost with its starting five healthy.

"We're very happy where we are right now," Sullivan said. "We started out slowly and we're on the upswing."