If there was any doubt that
Cicero-North Syracuse (Cicero, N.Y.) star
Breanna Stewart is National Player of the Year worthy, consider it an open and shut case.
Brianna Stewart
File photo by James Conrad
According to
lohud.com, Stewart scored 42 points and 23 rebounds in a 79-51 win over previously-unbeaten
Ossining (N.Y.) in a Class AA state semifinal game on Friday night at Hudson Valley Community College.
The game not only decided which team was heading into the state finals, but it was also a possible National Player of the Year showdown between Stewart, a do-everything 6-foot-4 star headed to UConn, and Ossining's multi-talented junior
Saniya Chong.
Chong came into the game with huge per-game numbers – 33.8 points, 9.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 steals – but she nor her team were a match for Stewart, who made 15 of 24 shots. Brittany Paul added 17 points for the winners.
"We tried everything we had in our arsenal, but our biggest girl is only 6 feet tall," Ossining coach Dan Ricci told lohud.com. "She's 6-4 and can do whatever she wants with the basketball."
Stewart, the top-ranked senior player in the country, told
Syracuse.com: “I just think we came out ready to play. Everyone was playing
great. I don’t think anyone had a bad game.”
Saniya Chong had 21 points Friday.
File photo by Lonnie Webb
Stewart has already been named National Player of the Year by three outlets, including Gatorade on Thursday. She was presented that award by reigning WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings.
Chong finished with 21 points but made just 7 of 26 shots, according to the newspaper.
"We're upset," Chong told the newspaper. "But this feeling will make us a better team."
Ossining, which doesn't have a senior on its roster, finished 23-1 while Cicero-North (20-3) moves on the state finals tonight to face
Penfield, another undefeated squad at 24-0. Penfield defeated Riverhead 67-49 on Friday.
