Forest Hills High Girls Basketball Tops John Adams, 57-45

The Forest Hills High School girls basketball team defeated John Adams High 57-45 Tuesday for its first A- level league victory since moving up to Queens A East from Queens B East this season.

The Rangers pressed and trapped their way to a 23-10 second quarter lead. Pushed by senior Pareese Hankerson (19 points), junior shooter Sharon Rios (15 points), and sophomore guard Imani Frances, Forest Hills (4-0, 1-0 Queens A East) showed a hardiness in the second half to turn away a bigger, more athletic Adams team.

It was a sloppy game of the frayed edges variety, but for Forest Hills, no less gratifying.

Hero:  Frances (14 points) is the type of savvy playmaker that all teams need. The lefthander got to the foul line, found open teammates and ultimately put Adams (0-1 Queens A East) away with her 3-pointer with 3:38 to play which put Forest Hills up 49-40.

Turning Point: The pace of the game quickened and the teams exchanged baskets in bursts during a frenetic third quarter. Adams threw a series of second-half runs at Forest Hills, but posed its biggest threat around the six-minute mark in the fourth when Shantana Kanhoye's lay-up cut the lead to 42-38. Backed by senior Pareese Hankerson (19 points), Forest Hills stood its ground, making a final push for the win.

Quotable: "In the end, I can always count on (my team). They played sloppy, but they know how to get it together and get the win," said Forest Hills coach Michelle Davis

Bottom Line: Forest Hills' first A-level win was uneven but hard-earned. The Rangers' defense- their strong suit- was dominant for short stretches. It was a promising early-season performance from a young team.

Key Stat: Four Forest Hills players started the second half with four fouls. The team beefed up its defensive intensity after the half and, remarkably, noone fouled out.