Shoreham-Wading River girls basketball tops Mount Sinai in overtime on Katie Keegan's late shot
Katie Keegan of Shoreham-Wading River advances the ball in a Suffolk Division VI basketball game against Mount Sinai on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Shoreham. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Down by one with time nearly gone, Shoreham-Wading River needed a moment of poise — and senior Katie Keegan delivered it. With less than 20 seconds left, Keegan rose and buried the go-ahead basket, flipping the score and lifting the host Wildcats to a dramatic 58-55 overtime win over Mount Sinai in Suffolk League VI girls basketball Thursday night.
“It was getting a little nerve-wracking, and we needed someone to be dominant in that moment and make a big shot,” said Keegan, who had 12 points, five rebounds and six steals. “I felt comfort that I had the ball, and I tried to just brush off the pressure and focus on the basket.”
After Keegan’s shot, Leslie Jablonski iced the win with two free throws with 3.5 seconds left.
Coach Christian Coster said there was no one else he’d feel more confident handing the ball to in that situation.
“I was extremely comfortable,” Coster said. “Katie’s a leader every time she steps on the floor. All she does is win in life, and that’s who you want the ball in the hands of at the very end of the game.”
After trailing 12-8 entering the second quarter, Shoreham-Wading River controlled the flow of the game for most of the night. The Wildcats poured in 15 points in the second quarter to take a 23-21 lead into halftime and stretched the margin to 11 midway through the fourth.
But Mount Sinai’s energy shifted in the final period. With just over three minutes left, a basket by Alexa Cergol ignited a 15-1 run that tied the score at 50 and forced overtime.
Cergol scored seven of her 31 points in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.
Defense proved to be the difference, as the Wildcats’ relentless 1-3-1 press produced a series of steals and kept Mount Sinai off balance.
“Defense is our safe spot,” said Keegan’s twin sister Anabel. “We’re our most comfortable when we’re on defense. We know exactly where each person is going to be.”
Anabel Keegan finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Jablonski added 10 points and Laurel Coster and Shealyn Varbero each had nine points.
“Our team slogan is family,” Christian Coster said. “We drive together, we show up together, we practice together, and it shows in overtime games just how much we believe in each other.”
The Wildcats (6-0, 3-0) are gaining confidence with each close win.
“Games like these are huge, and it definitely boosts our confidence,” Anabel Keegan said. “We go into every single game with our heads held up high, with positivity and ready to play our game. So far, it’s been working out well for us.”
