Coach: ‘Even down 20, they kept fighting’

The Haldane High School girls’ basketball team took a couple of body blows at home last week, losing 61-49 on Friday (Jan. 10) to Ardsley and 59-56 to Walter Panas on Monday (Jan. 13).

Sophomore Maddie Chiera scored 18 points against Panas. (Photo by S. Pearlman)

The Blue Devils (6-5) played well against Panas but were missing senior captain Bela Monteleone, who was out with the flu.

“Bela is one of our biggest contributors offensively and defensively, but all of the girls stepped up,” said Coach Jessica Perrone. “They kept coming back” from deficits.

Sophomore guard Maddie Chiera had her best game of the season with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists. Liv Monteleone added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Molly Siegel came up with 12 points to go with five boards.

“A sophomore stepping up in a game like that is impressive,” Perrone said of Chiera. “She’s hitting big shots when we need them. And Liv was a defensive force, did great rebounding, and does a lot to motivate the girls.”

Molly Siegel shoots over a Panas defender. (Photo by S. Pearlman)

Against Ardsley (4-7), Liv Monteleone led the way with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and her sister added nine points and three assists. Shianne Twoguns had five points and four assists, and Chiera scored nine points.

“We played awesome again,” Perrone said. “We came out ready, and we’re getting good offensive looks and meshing well. But we dug ourselves a hole in the first half, then we had foul trouble. Overall, we fought until the end. Even down 20, they kept fighting.”

Haldane was set to play today (Jan. 17) in a tournament at Peekskill against White Plains. The winner will advance to the championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m., and the loser to the consolation game at 11 a.m.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Pearlman, a native of Carmel, was the sports editor of the Putnam County Courier in Carmel for 14 years and for the North County News in Yorktown Heights for 13 years. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of expertise: Sports