Garden City girls basketball's dominant second half leads to first title since 2013
Garden City poses after defeating MacArthur in the Nassau Class AA girls basketball championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Farmingdale State. Credit: Kelvin Loarca
The top two girls basketball teams in Nassau Class AA delivered a back-and-forth start, just like everyone anticipated.
Garden City and MacArthur were neck and neck through two quarters, with the Trojans holding a one-point lead at halftime. But after that, Garden City turned its defense into offense to hand MacArthur its first loss.
“In the locker room, we were focused on emptying the tank,” junior Grace Brantuk said. “Our defense was very important. They have great players, but we focused on locking them up and turning defense into offense.”
Grace Brantuk had 12 points and 18 rebounds to lead No. 2 Garden City to a 63-45 victory over top-seeded MacArthur in the Nassau Class AA championship at Farmingdale State College on Saturday.
Garden City (19-4) meets Westhampton (21-2) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Stony Brook University in the Long Island Class AA championship in a state subregional contest.
“We concentrated on defense all week at practice,” coach Steve Bilello said. “The girls had their assignments and in the second half they turned it up even more. They knew they had 16 minutes left to leave it all on the line and they did just that.”
After leading 28-27 at halftime, Garden City created separation in the third quarter. Kennedy Palmer, who finished with 24 points, connected on a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 37-30 lead with 2:55 left in the third, sparking an eventual 11-2 run to start the quarter.
“Kennedy has been amazing for us all season,” Bilello said. “It’s been tremendous watching her evolve the last four years to become the player she’s become. She is a facilitator, she can drive to the basket, shoot and just get everyone involved.”
Garden City took a 42-34 lead heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Marisa Patrissi nailed a three-pointer to open a 47-36 lead with just under seven minutes to go.
“We were gaining momentum and I saw the shot so I took it,” Patrissi said. “We really go by defense creates good offense and our defensive effort got everything going here today.”
Garden City finished with seven three-pointers, including four by Palmer.
MacArthur was in search of the school’s first girls basketball county title. Freshman Brianna Peduzzi had eight first-quarter points. Meaghan Campbell had a team-high 17 points for the Generals (22-1).
“We missed shots in the second half, it is what it is, but I couldn't be prouder of this group,” MacArthur coach Dave Radtke said. “Tremendous group and I’m going to miss them.”
Garden City scored 21 fourth-quarter points to seal the win. The Garden City student section, wearing all black, stood up and roared as the school won its first girls basketball county championship since 2013.
“It was amazing,” Brantuk said. “I kept looking at my teammates smiling and clapping. It’s just amazing seeing the clock tick down and knowing you’re going to be a county champ.”
