Tottenville High School secured a decisive victory over Murry Bergtraum in a highly anticipated matchup within the PSAL 4A Conference on January 6, 2024. The Pirates triumphed with a score of 63-49 at their home court in Staten Island, showcasing strong performances from several key players.
Leading the charge for Tottenville was Brianna Ardolic, who contributed 18 points along with seven rebounds and two steals. Close behind was Gabriella Ortiz, who added 16 points to the team’s total. “Murry Bergtraum is a tough team,” remarked Jessica Althoff, the Pirates’ head coach. With this win, Tottenville improved its league record to 8-0 and its overall record to 11-2.
Murry Bergtraum, based in Manhattan, fell to 8-2 in the league following this loss. Earlier in the season, the Lady Blazers had suffered a defeat against the undefeated Thurgood Marshall team, highlighting the competitive nature of the conference.
Key players Grace Anderson and Araya Lichtman played pivotal roles in breaking through Bergtraum’s press defense. Anderson finished with an impressive stat line of 10 points, six steals, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Lichtman also scored 10 points, alongside five assists and three steals. Althoff praised Anderson, stating, “(Anderson) was all over the court today doing the other stuff we needed her to do.”
Defensively, the Pirates rose to the occasion, effectively containing Bergtraum’s high-scoring offense. “Murry Bergtraum pushed the ball; we needed to make adjustments and other girls stepped up well when we needed them to,” Althoff noted. She expressed pride in her team’s performance, emphasizing their strong teamwork and patience in waiting for the right scoring opportunities. “They moved the ball and waited for the right shots; they didn’t force shots we didn’t need,” she added.
Tottenville has a busy schedule ahead, with a home game against New Dorp set for Tuesday. As the season progresses, the Pirates aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their position at the top of the conference standings.
