The Andrew Marc Monarchs defeated the www.lensland.com Starzz, 24-18, in a back-and-forth Jericho Athletic Association girls 5th and 6th grade basketball game at Cantiague School on Jan. 18.

Alison Gluck used ball handling and passing ability to dish off to Monarch teammates Jessica Graf (8 points) and Danielle Schwartz (6), and score 8 points herself. Chelsea Kunter's assist and great pick set up layups by Graf and Gluck. Julie Gold battled for rebounds under the boards. On the defensive end, Pamela Bortnick hustled after loose balls and Graf stole an inbounds pass.

Stacey Stern (13 points) and Gabriella Jacobo-Blonder (4) kept it exciting for the Starzz as a one-point lead moved from one side of the scoreboard to the other in the second half. Cori Goodman, whose team play helped the Starzz, sunk a key free throw. The Starzz' Lindsay Resnick and Kelly Prudente played tight defense to keep it close.

The Monarchs built their lead to six in the fourth quarter. Amy Ballin and Carolyn Brodowitz's strong defense preserved the margin. Then they and Schwartz helped battle a late press put on by the Starzz. Stern's layup cut it to 22-18 late in the game but Abby Wank answered with a bucket of her own to ice the victory for the Monarchs.