On Friday, March 12 the Division Avenue Girls Varsity Basketball Team captured the Long Island Championship with a 57-51 victory over Harborfields High School, at SUNY Farmingdale. Taylor Malings once again led the Lady Dragons with 14 points and seven assists. Julie Ballantyne and Kristen Stuart combined for 25 points, 18 rebounds, 10 steals and six blocked shots.
Division led by as many as 15 points early in the third quarter but Harborfields refused to go quietly. The Hornets came roaring back with four three-point shots in the last quarter and cut the Dragon lead to just three points. Kristen Costello had a steal, two free throws, and a big blocked shot in the last minute to cement the win.
The Lady Dragons then took their show on the road to the New York State Championships in Albany. The girls lost in the state semifinals 51-45 to a very tough Lakeland High School. Julie Ballantyne led Division with 11 points and won the sportsmanship award, while Nicolette Parmese had 10 points and was named to the All Tournament Team. The Blue Dragons wound up ranked third in New York State among public high schools.
The Division Avenue fans sported T-shirts at the state tournament that had mention of the Long Island Championship on the front and the words “Making History” on the back of the shirts.
This truly said it all! This was the first Long Island Championship and trip to the state finals for any basketball team in Levittown Public School History.
