'D' puts Suffolk in hunt for NJCAA title

Suffolk Community College women's basketball coach Kevin Foley said he couldn't be more proud of his team this season.

Suffolk beat Queensborough CC, 54-45, last Sunday for the Region XV championship. The Clippers advanced to the NJCAA Division III national championship for the first time since they won it in 2003.

The three-day, eight-team tournament begins Wednesday in Rochester, Minn. Seeding and times for the tournament will be announced Monday.

The Clippers (18-4) don't have any superstars, just a group of women who value team play and good defense. It's a philosophy Foley said he lives by.

"We don't have anyone scoring 18 or 20 points a game," said Foley, who was named Region XV coach of the year. "Our trademark this season has been defense."

Suffolk is second in the country in scoring defense (44.7).

Leading the Clippers is freshman forward Kara Nenos (12.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and sophomore forward Ashley Drumgole (9.7, 10 ).

Sophomores Jeanette Spillane (8.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Leah Eleazer (8.5 ppg) also have made big contributions this season. Eleazer (4.7 steals) and Spillane (3.5) have been especially effective on defense and are ranked second and eighth, respectively, in the country in steals.

"This is a blue-collar team," Foley said. "These girls are balanced and they play together."

Suffolk finished second in the regular season, followed by Nassau CC and Queensborough.

The Clippers' run almost ended in the Region XV title game. They squandered a 17-2 first-half lead against Queensborough and trailed 29-28 at the half.

Foley said he gave the team a stern message at halftime. "The tire was getting a little flat and it was my job to inflate it,'' he said. "And they responded."

The Clippers won five Region XV titles before this season, including the 2003 national championship under Foley. They were Region XV runners-up the last two seasons.

Foley said of the tournament berth: "It feels good to be back."