Dream realized: Webster Schroeder defeats White Plains for state basketball title

TROY - Mariah Watkins said she doesn’t like to dream or look too far ahead, especially when the mission is a state championship.

But now? She can dream all she wants, because the dream is true.

Watkins and her Webster Schroeder teammates are Class AA state champs, beating White Plains 49-41 on Saturday night at Hudson Valley Community College.

“Of course I dream about it,” said Watkins, who scored 18 rebounds and pulled down two clutch rebounds after missed free throws in the final 1:21 to help preserve the lead. “But I still have to get out and play hard.”

She did, and so did the rest of the Warriors. They led from start to finish, but White Plains never went away. Schroeder led by as much as 12 late in the third quarter after a Morgan Addison 3-pointer, but the Tigers rallied and cut the lead to seven heading into the fourth quarter.

It was a six-point game with 1:21 left when Morgan missed a second free throw, but Morgan elevated and came down with the rebound. Then she was fouled and made both.

Seconds later, it happened again when Sarah Ferruzza missed her second free throw. But Watkins again came down with the board and again was fouled and made one of two free throws for a 45-36 Schroeder lead.

“Really good players make really good plays in big games,” Schroeder coach Codi Mrozek said. “And that was the definition of that. It’s just her. She’ll find a way to make a play no matter what.”

What it means

Webster Schroeder (25-1) advances to next weekend’s Federation Tournament.

White Plains ends its season with a 23-4 record.

Key play

Those rebounds. Oh, those rebounds.

So it wasn’t really about the points that were scored. It was about the points that weren’t scored, potentially by White Plains.

When Watkins skied for the first grab, it was a six-point lead for Schroeder. And for the second, it was an eight-point game. So that’s why possession was the priority for Schroeder at this point.

“It’s the state championship,” said Watkins. “I’m doing everything I can. I wasn’t having my best scoring night, so I had to do something.”

It was a 44-36 lead for Schroeder following that sequence and the Warriors scored scored their remaining five points on free throws down the stretch.

“We expected a challenge and knew we had to play the entire game,” said Morgan.

By the numbers

▶ White Plains outrebounded Schroeder, 43-33.

▶ Watkins led Schroeder with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Morgan scored 14, including three 3-pointers.

▶ Schroeder shot 30% (14 of 46) for the game; White Plains was at 26% (16 of 61).

They said it

▶ Addison, on being a state champ: “It’s unbelievable. This is my first year on varsity and I can’t explain the words for this.”

▶ Mrozek, on being a state champ: “All the emotions …. I’m just so proud of these girls.”

▶ Mrozek, on when Schroeder put a state title in its sights: “The first few days after sectionals. And then once we beat Lancaster, we said now we’re here.”

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Webster Schroeder tops White Plains for state girls basketball title