Ochwat and Panariello Lead Dalers to Girls Basketball Semifinals

The girls basketball team advanced to the Nassau County Class AA semifinals with a 52-41 playoff victory over the Elmont Spartans Wednesday.

Coach Pete Cerrone said he was satisfied with how his team played both individually and as a team.

"We needed other people to step up," he said. "We're all about a lot of people playing defense and about surviving and advancing."

The Dalers were led by senior Kyra Ochwat, who led the team with 15 points. Sophomore Alexis Panariello showed no playoff nerves and carried the offense in the first half, ending the game with 12 points.

Ochwat credited the team approach as key to the victory and said she isn't ready for the season to end. "We came out both confident and relaxed," she said. "We want to win and go as far as possible."

The first quarter was one of sloppy play and low scoring. Panariello carried the Dalers offense, scoring six of Farmingdale's ten points in the quarter. The Dalers took a 10-8 lead into the second quarter, where they began to knock down shots and were able widen their lead, going into halftime up 14 points.  

The Spartans wouldn't go down without a fight and played hard in the second half.  They outscored Farmingdale 12-11 for the quarter and were down by 13 entering the fourth. 

Senior Ochwat took over the game and began hitting several key shots to hold off the Spartan comeback. Ultimately the Dalers mix of man-to-man and 1-2-2 defense was too much for the Spartans and Farmingdale propelled to the semifinals.

The Dalers will play the winner of the - game in the semifinals on Wednesday, March 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.