Leading off today: Bria Hartley saved the best for last, but it wasn't enough to extend the season for the North Babylon girls basketball team.
Coming off a 43-point night Monday during a victory against Smithtown West in the Section 11 semifinals, she dropped 51 in a 72-69 loss last night to Sachem East.
Down three and hemmed in by a triple-team in the corner, Hartley passed on the final shot, dishing to a teammate for a shot that came up short.
"I just wanted to win," Hartley told Newsday. "It didn't work out, but I know it was the right play."
It was the end of a fabulous career -- 1,978 points -- capped by a great performance. Hartley scored 44 points in the last 24 minutes en route to a Long Island single-game playoff record. Her Bulldogs rallied from a 26-12 deficit to a 68-67 lead with 1:10 left.
"She played absolutely amazing," Sachem East's Kristen Doherty said of Hartley, a UConn recruit who also excels in lacrosse. "You can't take that away from her."
Big finish: Six-foot-seven junior Tyler Funk's first three-pointer of the season late in regulation tied the game and sparked Clarence to a 67-61 victory against Orchard Park in the Section 6 Class AA semifinals.
