GLENS FALLS — Jennifer O’Neill knew the reputation St. Michael’s has had for the past few years, when the Eagles started to rise to prominence in the city.
“I think we always had a name and people knew about us, but it was always incomplete because we couldn’t win the whole thing,” the junior said. “We’d win a lot of games and then lose at the end.”
That changed this season, as St. Michael’s won the CHSAA city title, beating perennial power Christ the King in the process and then it finished it off yesterday with a 62-58 win over Bergtraum in the state Federation title game at the Civic Center.
It didn’t come easily for the Manhattan school. The Lady Blazers, who had won the past two Federation championships, held a 10-point lead late in the third quarter and it seemed a mere formality for them to win another one.
But a 13-1 run by the Eagles turned the tide and it was tied at 56-56 with 50 seconds left. St. Michael’s scored the next six points, including four by Jelleah Sidney.
“It’s sweeter to have to go through Christ the King and Bergtraum to get this,” Sidney said.
“This is definitely Part One,” coach Apache Paschall said. “It’s a threeheaded race in the city now. This is our time.”
Bergtraum head coach Ed Grezinsky agreed.
“Give them credit,” Grezinsky said. “A lot of people want to win the city and state championships and we know how hard it is. Now, they’re there.”
St. Michael: 62
Bergtraum: 58