Alexa Cirabisi puts charge into Massapequa during win over Syosset

Alexa Cirabisi braced for contact as she’s done countless times for the Massapequa girls basketball team. But this time was different – it could help secure a trip to the county finals.

Cirabisi stepped in and took a charge in the game’s final 90 seconds after Syosset cut Massapequa’s double-digit lead to six points. Seconds later, she knocked down a corner three-pointer with 1:07 left to give Massapequa a nine-point advantage as No. 2 Massapequa defeated No. 3 Syosset, 65-54, in the girls basketball Nassau Class AA semifinals at Farmingdale State on Friday evening.

“I just put my body in front and said, ‘Please give me the charge’ and I got it,” said Cirabisi, who added she was upset she didn’t get a charge called a few plays earlier. “It felt amazing. The feeling I got from the charge definitely followed through for the shot.”

Massapequa (18-3) advances to play No. 1 Baldwin (20-2) in the Nassau Class AA final at Hofstra March 4 at 2:30 p.m. Massapequa looks for its first county title since 2013, which was the last time a team other than Baldwin won the county crown.

“She came up with two big plays which is what you ask of your senior captain to do every game,” coach Billy Herr said. “She took it on her shoulders and she followed through.”

Cirabisi’s triple was the final of 12 successful Massapequa three-pointers. Briana Neary had 20 points, including five three-pointers, and Grace Trotta had 19 points, including four three-pointers. Cirabisi added 16 points, including three triples.

“Every player on this team brings something different,” Cirabisi said. “And when we combine it together, it’s something unstoppable.”

Neary noticed Syosset was allowing Massapequa open looks to shoot from deep – and she capitalized.

“We definitely felt they gave us the three,” Neary said. “So I felt once I got my shot down, I was more confident out there.”

Carly Greenbaum had 17 points for Syosset (15-6).

Massapequa understands the daunting task awaiting in playing Baldwin, which reached the state Class AA final last season. But Massapequa hopes to be the team to break the Bruins’ streak.

“They are the top of the mountain and we are trying to get there,” Herr said. “They are a phenomenal program and always have been and we’re going to do everything we can to work hard and get after them.”

“It’s going to be tough but I think we can do it,” Cirabisi said. “Definitely.”

Both Massapequa and Syosset played with pace and efficiency in the opening quarter – but scored in vastly different ways to tie the score at 20 after the period. Syosset utilized balance with seven players scoring a point with only one player scoring multiple field goals. Massapequa had four scorers, led by Trotta’s 10 points.

Massapequa took an early timeout after Syosset opened a 24-22 lead just 1:30 into the second period. Massapequa then went on a 15-5 run to take a 37-29 lead with 2:06 left in the quarter before taking a 39-32 lead at halftime.

Massapequa closed the final 4:32 of the third quarter on an 11-5 run to take a 55-45 lead after the period. This was following a 6-0 Syosset run which cut Massapequa’s 44-34 lead to 44-40 with 5:22 left in the quarter.

“This feels amazing,” Neary said. “It’s huge for everyone. We haven’t played in the county championship in a long time and we hope to be the team to win it.”