Auricchio helps Trojans into 'A' final

What a difference a year makes. Defending Long Island Champion Garden City was led by three-sport superstar and now Notre Dame lacrosse player Barbara Sullivan in its 2011 run to the state tournament.

With only Sullivan leaving, the question this season was who was going to take over the leadership role for the senior-laden Trojans.

There are seven Garden City seniors on this season's squad, but many times it's been the team's youngest member, freshman point guard Samantha Auricchio, who has led the way.

"It feels great. Everyone's supporting me and it feels just awesome to be a part of the team," Auricchio said.

Auricchio had 11 points and Christina Mangels had eight points and 18 rebounds as No. 2 Garden City defeated No. 3 Lynbrook, 41-36, in a Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinal last night at Freeport. Garden City (18-2) faces top-seeded North Shore in the final at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at LIU Post.

"Barbara is a great athlete all around so with her that was a great help," said Jess Stein, who had six points for Garden City. "Now it's a lot more team involved and it just feels really good that everyone can contribute this year and it's really balanced."

The Trojans led 17-15 at halftime after a seesaw first half and maintained the lead in the second half. But each time Garden City looked to be pulling away, Lynbrook came right back.

SEE PHOTOSGarden City 41, Lynbrook 36

Kim Ryan (eight points) made the score 40-31 midway through the fourth quarter, but Lynbrook responded. Brooke Gerstman had 14 of her 19 points in the second half for Lynbrook (15-5).

"When we went on that run and went up nine, I had a good feeling because of the way we were defending but when you have Brooke Gerstman, as good as she is, no lead is safe," Garden City coach Anthony Sparacia said.

Gerstman made one of her five three-pointers and Joelle Church made a layup to cut the gap to 40-36 with 3:23 left, but the Owls would not get any closer.