Toni Neely named to Pearl River Holiday All-Tournament Team

PEARL RIVER — The Monroe-Woodbury Girls Varsity Basketball Team took part in the Pearl River Holiday Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16, at Pearl River High School.
The Crusaders took on the Vikings of Clarkstown South in the first game on Friday night. In the first half, the Crusaders got out to a 11-point lead behind the outside shooting of Toni Neely who hit on three three-point shots to give the Crusaders the lead.
But the Vikings came out of the half and pressed and the Crusaders offense ground to a halt as the Vikings scored 14 and took a 27-26 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Vikings were able to hold off the Crusaders comeback attempts in fourth quarter and went on to a 40-33 victory.
In the consolation game on Saturday afternoon, the Crusaders were matched up with the Indians of Nyack High School.
The Indians took a three-point lead in the first quarter and stretched their lead to five by the half.
But this time it was the Crusaders who staged the come back.
Crusader Jamie Waldron took over the boards at both ends of the court and scored seven of her 11 points in the second half to help the Crusaders catch the Indians.
The Crusaders' defense stepped up and held the Indians to six points in the second half and the team hit 11 of the 14 free throws in the second half to secure the 33-26 victory.
Crusader Toni Neely was named to the all tournament team, scoring 19 points over the two games.
The Crusaders' season record now stands at 2-3.
- William Dimmit