When this season started no one really knew what it would mean for the Lady Vikings, some inconsistencies with eligibility and stability the last few years that even keeping a team afloat for the whole year would be a big achievement. Safe to say they accomplished more than that. For the first time since 2013 the Lady Vikings clinched a regular season conference championship and a 1 seed in the region 15 tournament. This came in the wake of a 30 point(78-48) victory over the Colts of Orange County Community College. This would be the second matchup of the season for the two teams. WCC won the first game by 21 back in November. The 1st and 3rd quarter decided it for the Lady Vikings as they won those quarters by a combined score 50 to 10.
Freshman Saniya Bell(Ossining,NY/Ossining High School) continued her stellar freshman season as she netted 30 points on 7 made threes. Sophomore Angelica Rios(Ossining,NY/Ossining High School) had a double double in the win. Rios tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds giving her 4 straight double doubles. Freshmen PG Mariah Mills(New City,NY/North Rockland High School) also scored in double figures with 10 points. She also dished out 5 assists and swiped 4 steals.
Usually winning the conference and clinching a #1 seed would be the best win of the week, well not for this team as they had another tough test over the weekend. The D3 #6 nationally ranked Monroe-Bronx Express traveled up to Valhalla for a clash between two tough teams. It was a battle from beginning to end. No team gained more than a 6 point lead throughout and it came down to the wire. Westchester had good scoring performances but defense is truly what won them this game. Aneyah Mclamb would score a basket to give the Express a one point lead with 4:30 seconds to play and the Lady Vikings defense shut them down after that. Westchester scored two baskets in a row to retake the lead and then extend it. Freshman Daveya Rodriguez(Beacon,NY/Beacon High School) had a huge offensive rebound and put back which gave the Lady Vikings a one point lead. After a defensive stop Rodriguez grabbed another offensive rebound which led to a Mills basket to extend the lead to 49-46.
However, with 6.5 seconds left Bell missed a free throw to extend the lead to three which gave Monroe a chance to tie or win. With outstanding defense WCC forced a turnover and ultimately won the game in dramatic fashion by a score of 50-48. They held a Monroe team who was averaging 70+ points to under 50 in the win and only allowed 6 points in the 4th quarter.
Bell had another outstanding game scoring 26 and grabbing 8 rebounds. That gave her 25 points or more in 4 straight games. Rodriguez also filled up the stat sheet scoring 7 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and getting 7 steals. It was an all around team win for WCC.
They will be back in action this Tuesday as they close out Conference play with a home game against Rockland Community College. This will take place at 5:00 PM followed by the men at 7:00 PM. It will be sophomore night for the girls. Sophomores Angelica Rios, Pieta Trinidad and Ziacera Sexton will be honored. Come support at Viking Gymnasium!!
