It was not safe to play the Port Washington girls basketball team last if you were undefeated. The Lady Vikings upset Garden City 51-48 and MacArthur 58-57 on last-second heroic free throws to put the team into the playoff race.

The team improved its league record to 5-3 with the stunning victories. Against Garden City it was all about defense and rebounding. The Port team outrebounded the taller Garden City team 47-28. Port's inside presence was led by junior Jenn Regan who defended Garden City's top scorer and prevented her from getting any easy baskets. It would only be fitting that Regan got the chance to shoot and make the two free throws with 22 seconds remaining in the game to seal the win. Four players scored in double figures with Michelle Kornblau leading the way with 15 followed by Lisa Vogeley with 14 and Danielle Gil and Deirdre O'Connor with 10 apiece. This was the first time in Schreiber history that a girls basketball team has beaten a team from Garden City. Port sent Garden City home with its first conference defeat.

PYA night last Friday evening was without a doubt one of the best games played in girls basketball history. MacArthur was only one of two undefeated teams remaining and had 10 players return from last year's squad. A guard-oriented team, the Lady Vikings had to rely on their perimeter defense to stop MacArthur's potent offense. The game was a nail biter throughout. In the final 41 seconds, MacArthur took the lead for the first time in the quarter on a steal and layup 57-56. Port called a timeout. Coach Stephanie Joannon says, "Two weeks ago, we might have been rattled at the end of a game, but we have played so well and so big in the crunch times of games that I had a good feel about our final possession." With 29 seconds remaining, Deirdre O'Connor took a three-point shot that rimmed out. Lisa Vogeley hustled for offside position, secured the rebound and drew the foul. With a crowd of nearly 300 hushed in silence, Lisa sunk both free throws to put Port ahead 58-57.

With the shot clock turned off, it was up to Port to hold on the defensive position. They did, but not without a frenzy of shots being launched by MacArthur. A pass deflected by Danielle Gil was picked up by a MacArthur player who shot the ball with 15 seconds remaining. Her shot went over the rim into the hands of a MacArthur player who kicked the ball out to a shooter who shot wildly with seven seconds remaining. A scramble for the ball ensued whereby a MacArthur player threw up a desperation shot to have it blocked by Lisa Vogeley who caught the block with one second remaining on the clock. The victory was secure and Port had upset another undefeated team. Senior Lisa Vogeley scored a career-high 33 points and secured a career-high 17 rebounds.

Congrats to the Lady Vikings. Come see their final games as they march their way toward the playoffs.

Remaining home games:

Feb. 7 - Lawrence, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 - Mepham, 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 - Garden City, 6 p.m. (senior tribute)