For the first time in three years, the champion of the Yorktown tournament is…(drumroll)…Yorktown! Maggie Natell had 12 points and 10 boards and hit the tying layup with less than two minutes to go. Ann Kelsey followed with the go-ahead bucket on the next possession. ‘Town went on to beat Putnam Valley 43-37.

After Putnam Valley won yesterday I asked coach Kelly Thomson who she matched up better against, Yorktown or Somers. Definitely Somers, she said. Looks like that was right. Obviously her team had a lot of trouble scoring against Yorktown.

Lakeland’s defense bounced back in the consolation game. Yesterday Steve Fallo was exasperated about how players weren’t moving their feet, were reaching and creating fouls. They sent Put Valley to the line 37 times. Big turnaround today in the consolation game. Somers took just 11 free throws in a 49-22 loss. Lakeland’s offense was led again by Vicki Kowalski, who scored 15.

Lakeland is going to have to get used to playing without its 6-3 center Tori Jarosz. She’s out for at least another three games with a back injury, and probably more. If Fallo’s prediction of a mid-January return holds up it could be as many as eight more games. Between Kowalski, Kerry Johnson, and Kristin Pappalardo, there is enough talent to stay afloat. They have to guard against things like the lazy feet that submarined them against Putnam Valley.

In other action, Ossining opened the girls portion of the Slam Dunk tournament with a 76-55 win over Woodlands. This was the challenge game (basically just a stand-alone), which isn’t part of the greater tournament, so neither team will be back at the County Center.

Good thing they made an impression while they could. Alex Venuto hit eight 3-pointers on her way to 36 points, which tied a career-high set earlier this year. Teammate Hayley Awerdick had 19 points, 10 assists, and seven boards. Porsha Postell was spectacular as usual for Woodlands, scoring 34 with nine rebounds. Yet the Falcons dropped below .500 (3-4) despite having arguably the best player in the section.

The only other games were the opening round of the Carmel tournament, which are described below.

Mahopac 57, Kennedy 46: On the opening day of the Carmel tournament, Jessie Kavana led the Indians with 16 points. Bari Chavis added 13 points. Amanda Viteretti scored 16 points for the Gaels. Brewster will play Mahopac on Monday at 5 p.m. Carmel will face Kennedy at 7 p.m.
Brewster 72, Carmel 64: On the opening day of the Carmel tournament, Devon Quattrocci had 23 points, six assists and four steals for the Bears. Teammate Emily Tapio had 15 points and 18 rebounds. Marie Mullen had 24 points for the Rams.