Bergstraum girls determined to defend state title.

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Author: Benjamin, Barbara

When the Murry Bergtraum girls basketball team hits the court, “D” stands for more than defense. It's also the “D” in “determination” and “desire” to be the best. As the 2002 defending New York state high school girls basketball champions, they want to keep their bragging rights, and they re off to a good start.

In their season opener, they had an impressive 110�"32 win over Hunter. Then they took apart A.P. Randolph 114�"30. Freshman guard Epiphan Prince, who played for the Douglass Panthers in the SlamJam Tournament, was the game's high scorer with 27 points.

The graduation of three top seniors hurt, especially Chanel Moore, who was a double-double performer throughout the playoffs. However, Head Coach Ed Grezinsky, talking about this year's team, refused to dwell on losing some of his top players. “Every year is a new year, and we have to build on the talented nucleus we have left,” he said.

Bergtraum has a strong and talented class returning. Four of their starting five (Tracy Wright, Crystal McFadden, Carmen Guzman and Shameen Felix) played in the Clyde Frazier Jr. SlamJam Tournament and are very familiar with each other on the court. Wright, 6'1” was a dominating force on the glass last year, pulling down 13 rebounds a game. The versatile 5'8” McFadden, who lines up at guard or forward, averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game as a junior. Guzman is a highenergy player. Last season's MVP in the state championship game against Christ the King, she averaged 11 points and six assists a game. She excels on defense, where her quick hands force a lot of turnovers, leading to bundles of points. Felix, at 5'5”, is extremely quick. She averaged nine points and five assists last season. Joining them is frosh sensation Prince.

When Grezinsky goes to his bench, there's steady Kisha Stokes, who hits the boards hard, averaging over seven rebounds a game last season, along with six points. First-year player Patrice Davis came off the bench against Randolph and hit a two-pointer that gave Bergtraum 100 points, bringing down the house.

Grezinsky has two very capable and experienced assistants working with him �" Harold McClendon and Bruce Campbell. McClendon was named the 2001 Clyde Frazier Jr. SlamJam Cocoach of the Year.

Not to be neglected, Bergtraum's 18-member cheerleading squad and 32-strong step team are serious, entertaining, coordinated and well-orchestrated.

Coach Cheryl Harris said of her cheerleading team, “I'm taking steps to prepare them for cheerleading competitions that can lead to college scholarships.”

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): THE CHEERLEADERS �" Murry Bergtraum's entertaining top-ranked cheerleaders

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): TOP FIVE �" Murry Bergtraum's current starting five. Front row, from left: Carmen Guzman, Shameen Felix. Back row, from left: Kisha Stokes, Tracy Wright and Crystal McFadden

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By Barbara Benjamin, Special to the AmNews