Peragallo shows versatility for Hauppauge
Hauppauge's Stephanie Peragallo drives into traffic under the hoop in the first half. Hauppauge defeated Deer Park 54-48. (Jan. 19, 2012) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Stephanie Peragallo was asked to do more than she is accustomed to Wednesday night. The Hauppauge senior forward had to play guard and handle the ball more with starting point guard Lauren Descalzo sidelined because of a concussion.
Peragallo was more than up to the task. She had a career-high 20 points, Lindsay Alfano scored 12 points and Julie Williams added 11 for host Hauppauge in a 54-48 win over Deer Park in a Suffolk League IV girls basketball game.
"I'd rather do something that's best for the team,'' Peragallo said. "Injuries happen in sports and when it does, someone needs to step up.''
Peragallo is known more for her lacrosse prowess. ESPN Rise ranks her as the second best defender in the country and she will play at Notre Dame.
"She's a tremendous athlete,'' Hauppauge coach Jamie Edson said. "She plays basketball two months of the year.''
Hauppauge (10-0, 7-0), which hadn't had a game closer than 12 points, had its first test of the season. The Eagles led by 18 early in the fourth quarter before Deer Park, the defending Suffolk Class AA champions, roared back.
Kristen Fischer capped a 19-3 run with a pair of free throws with 1:29 left to bring Deer Park (7-4, 5-2) within 50-48. Peragallo went 1-for-2 from the foul line with one minute left as did Alfano with 22 seconds left. Peragallo then showed off her quarterback skills with a length of the court pass to Kasey Kephart for a layup as time expired.
Deer Park hit seven three-pointers, three in the final quarter. Andrea Desvignes scored 17 points and Nicole Gomez added 16 for Deer Park.
Hauppauge clinched a playoff berth with the victory. The Eagles made the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons last year.
"When I was in eighth grade, we weren't good at all,'' Peragallo said. "I actually thought we would get worse.''
Added Williams: "If you told me two years ago we would be 7-0, I would be shocked.''
