Live In-Game Coverage: East Girls Basketball beats Shenendehowa to win Class AA New York State Title

Who: No. 6 Sachem East (20-3) vs. Shenendehowa (22-2)

What: New York State Class AA Championship

Where: Tonight, March 20 at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY at 8:45 p.m.

What to learn more? Check out the preview we posted earlier.

I know what you're thinking. How can he be reporting from Holtsville, when the girls are in Troy, N.Y.? Simple answer. Sachem Patch contributor Michael Feldstein is sitting court side, sending me updates every half-quarter. Follow along with analysis and statistics.

Starters: According to Feldstein the starters are as follows: Sachem East: Stephanie Burrow, Kristen Doherty, Meagan Doherty, Kelsey Furgeson and Caitlin Hopkins. Shenendehowa: Andrea Mangione, Marissa Ray, Meg Rogers Allie Setter and Emily Weber.

First quarter

5:17: Just 40 seconds into the game Kristen Doherty hit a three-point shot, then a minute later hit another jumper. East jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game. Sachem East 9, Shenedehowa 3

3:05:  Feldstein reported it was 12-3 around the five-minute mark thanks to Megan Doherty, who buried her own three-point shot, but Allie Setter and Meg Rogers put some points on the board for Shen and has the Plainsmen back in the game. East 12, Shen (let's shorten it for now) 9

End of First: 14-14

Quarter 1 analysis: Obviously East started out strong and fast, especially with a 7-0 opening run and 12-3 lead at one point, but it didn't hold. Both Doherty girls seem to be on tonight, which is good. Shen is not a push over team. Anything is possible at this point and both teams will leave it all on the floor. If you recall my prediction (Sachem East), I said it will be a victory by close margin and so far that's true. Emily Weber hit a three-point shot for Shen to tie the score at 14 seconds before the quarter ended.

Second quarter

5:15: Doherty hit a free-throw to take a one point lead, but Setter hit a jumper and gave Shen its first lead of the contest. Shen 16, Sachem 15

4:03: This could be the most depressed Sachem fans have been in awhile. Shen just opened the flood gates and took a seven point lead. It's far too early to think it's over, but Ray hit a three and Weber hit a layup. Feldstein says Shen looks good. Shen 21, East 15

2:00: Meagan Doherty hit a three-pointer around the 3-minute mark to get East back in the game, but Setter drained an easy layup and Roz Alexander made a shot for Shen. Shen 25, East 18

End of Second: Shen 28, East 18

Quarter 2 analysis: Alexander hit a three in the final minute to extend Shen's lead to 10 points. They outscored East 14-4 this quarter and look to be in control, something East has not had to deal with all season. 

Kristen Doherty has 10 points and Meagan Doherty has the other eight, meaning two players are producing all the offense through half the game. East is shooting 1-of-7 from the foul line and is not performing like it has over the last four months. Feldstein said he hasn't seen a deficit like this for East in a long time (12-29-09 when East lost to NYC's Murry Bergtraum). East is getting chances, but not finishing.

Shen is doing the opposite, of course. Matt Brisson should rally his troops for the second half. Feldstein also said East was just 1-of-14 in total shooting and had seven turnovers in the second quarter alone. Those two stats need to be reversed very quickly.

Feldstein is on fire with the stats. He said East's largest post-season comeback was against Northport in last year's Suffolk County semifinals when they trailed 30-24 at the half. This is considerably worse. 

Third quarter:

4:30: Weber hits a shot and gives Shen two more points, but not after East went on a 6-0 run and is showing signs of resurgence. Shen 30, East 24

3:50: This is the Sachem we know. They went on an 11-2 run and are within one point. Stephanie Burrow is on the action now. Oh yeah, and Meagan (In the Clutch) Doherty hit another three. Shen 30, East 29

3:00: Kristen Doherty gets Sachem back on top. She hit a jumper and the fans in Troy must be going nuts! East 31, Shen 30

End of Third: East 33, Shen 32

Quarter 3 analysis: As you can see, East has made a huge comeback. Kristen Doherty hit a big shot as time expired in the third. They went on an 11-2 scoring run at one point and came out like they had something to prove. Feldstein said both teams are still having foul trouble, but it's as good a game as ever.

Fourth quarter:

5:10: Meagan Doherty and Kristen Doherty hit threes. It's a Doherty Delight! East 41, Shen 36

2:28: Things are neck-and-neck. Stephanie Burrow was just on the line to shoot because of the one-and-one situation. East 44, Shen 42

:42: East has possession and look to be finishing this game as New York State Champions! East 47, Shen 42

End of game: East 50, Shen 44

Sachem East is the New York State Class AA champion after beating Shenendehowa. Kristen Doherty finished with 22 points and her sister Meagan recorded 18 in the school's first state title appearance and win. It is Sachem's third overall state title in girls basketball dating back to before the split of the district.

A game story will follow.

Michael Feldstein contributed to this coverage.