Section 1 Irvington has been a nemesis for many years during the regional playoffs against Section 9 Class B champion girls’ basketball teams.

And Tuesday, March 5, Marlboro fell victim to Irvington’s dominance during the regional semis at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. For two quarters it seemed as if the Dukes would be able to break Irvington’s grip over Section 9, after leading 28-26 at the half and 45-43 at the end of the third quarter.

But Irvington would not go away and would dominate the Dukes in the fourth quarter with a 23-5 run to eliminate Marlboro, a 2016 state semifinalist, 66-50.

“It was a great game,” said Marion Appler, Marlboro’s coach.
Abby Conklin led Irvington with 26 points, scoring 11 points in the fourth with a pair of threes as Marlboro was unable to stop her from the perimeter. Conklin, who finished the game with six threes, downed a trio of threes in the third as her teammates struggled around her with missed shots.

As Irvington was finding little traction in the third quarter, the Dukes made their last stand of their season in that period with the potential of going further into the postseason.

Elizabeth Lofaro scored 11 points for Marlboro, hitting a three in the third. Jetta Stephens, with 8 points in the game, also landed a three with Kali Schindler in the third quarter. Schindler finished the game with 11 points and three threes. Erin Lofaro led the Dukes with 12 points.

“The girls played a great three quarters. They really brought it. They really had the energy. In the fourth quarter they let up a little bit,” said Appler. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. I am proud of the girls.”