Baldwin tops Massapequa in the Nassau Class AAA semifinals
Renelle Grannum of Baldwin drives for a layup against Massapequa in the Nassau Class AAA Girls semifinals on Saturday. Credit: David Meisenholder
The Baldwin girls basketball team never forgets the success of previous seasons, but that doesn’t mean the Bruins believe they’ll simply be handed the same triumphs.
Anyone paying attention to Nassau girls basketball over the past decade wouldn’t dare to imagine a county championship game without Baldwin in the final. But the players and coaches understand the work necessary to get there. Each team wants to create its own legacy and for this season, another county title would cement a decade of dominance.
Top seed Baldwin defeated No. 4 Massapequa, 48-38, in the girls basketball Nassau Class AAA semifinals at Farmingdale State College on Saturday. The Bruins are one win away from claiming their 10th straight county title. Massapequa finished at 14-8.
“We want to get 10, 10 in a row,” said Renelle Grannum, a senior guard. “We’ve talked about it all year and we know we are meant for this stage. We’re all confident in each other as a team, confident in the coaching. We’re all meant for this so we were ready.”
Baldwin (18-4) advances to play the No. 2 Syosset in the Nassau Class AAA final at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Farmingdale State College.
“It’s hard to do this every year and a ton of work goes into it by our players, our parents, our coaches,” coach Tom Catapano said. “It’s not easy to do and we don’t take it for granted. Every year is a different year and every team is a different team. But they definitely take pride in the legacy that has been built for them and they take pride in trying to keep that tradition alive.”
Baldwin took a 12-7 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 23-14 at halftime in a game it never trailed. Monique Echols had 13 points, Payton Dulin had 11 and Grannum had nine as the Bruins had five different players with at least seven points.
Grace Trotta #44 of Massapequa fouls Chinaya Okogeri #1 of Baldwin as she attempts a lay up during a Nassau Class AAA Girls Basketball Semifinal playoff game at Farmingdale State College on Saturday February 24, 2024 Credit: David Meisenholder
“I feel like everyone on the team can score the ball, which is a plus for us,” Grannum said. “It’s hard to guard that when we have multiple shooters, multiple people who can drive the ball. We have all the pieces we need to take this whole thing home.”
Massapequa pulled to within 34-28 with one minute left in the third quarter but the Bruins answered with a 7-2 run.
“They have kids that know how to win over there in every sport,” Catapano said. “So any time you play Massapequa, you know you’re signing up for a battle.”
Baldwin is seeking its third straight Long Island championship.
“We want the LIC but we have to take it one game at a time,” Grannum said.
