Neshaminy rallies past Upper Dublin in District 1-5A 5th place game
NEWTOWN >> Alena Cofield’s timely second-half thefts turned the tide and Reese Zemitis drove the final points home, as Neshaminy rallied back for a 43-41 victory over Upper Dublin in the District 1-6A Fifth–Place Game at Bucks County Community College Friday afternoon.
Zemitis’ layup with 12 seconds to go provided the final difference for the Skins, who erased a 21-10 deficit. Cofield was a decisive force at both ends: she scored a game-high 20 points and also came up with three steals that allowed the Skins to make their move.
“I just tried to jump the pass,” said Cofield. “(Upper Dublin was) getting trapped and I knew they were gonna try to pass. They were getting stuck. I just jumped the pass and got it to my teammates as quickly as I could.”
Both squads now prepare for the PIAA Tournament next week.
The Cardinals went on a 21-5 run in the first half and led by as much as 11 but were stymied after the break. Colleen Besachio led the Cards with 19 points.
“We’re best when we’re taking care of the ball and I thought we got away from that in the second half,” Cardinals coach Morgan Funsten said. “(Neshaminy) made us pay and (Cofield certainly made us pay.”
Cofield added a nice stroke from the outside to her repertoire.
“I’ve been working on my shooting a lot,” she said. “It’s been improving. There’s something about this court – I was just knocking down shots.”
She hit four 3-pointers in all, including one that staked Neshaminy to a 38-34 advantage in the fourth.
“I really wanted to win this game,” Cofield said. “I was feeling hyped. I just started shooting and one after another, they were going in. It boosted my confidence.”
Upper Dublin surged back one final time, a three by Besachio pushing the Cardinals into a 39-38 lead. Besachio made her impact in multiple ways, rebounding, battling inside and adding a pair of threes.
After Zemitis’ shot fell for Neshaminy, Upper Dublin raced up court for one final chance, but the Cardinals were forced into a rushed shot that didn’t fall and Neshaminy held on for the victory.
Neshaminy 43, Upper Dublin 41
Upper Dublin 15 10 9 7 — 41
Neshaminy 7 9 19 8 — 43
Upper Dublin: Megan Ngo 3 0-0 7, Colleen Besachio 8 1-2 19, Amy Ngo 2 0-0 6, Nora Brady 1 0-0 3, Alaina Sanders 3 0-0 6. Totals 17 1-2 41.
Neshaminy: Alena Cofield 8 0-0 20, Lola Ibarrondo 3 1-2 7, Reese Zemitis 4 0-0 10, Taylor Gurysh 2 1-2 6. Totals 17 2-4 43.
3-pointers: UD-M. Ngo, Besachio 2, A. Ngo 2, Brady; N-Cofield 4, Zemitis 2, Gurysh.
