Once a team's top player is lost, the prospects of winning an important playoff game are dull.

Thus was the case for the North Babylon girl's basketball team, which succumbed to an offensive attack from Copiague and its star player, Ieasia Walker, in a 58-49 Suffolk County Class AA semifinal loss, Saturday, February 28, at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue.

According to North Babylon head coach Mike Petre, St. John's University-bound Eugeneia McPherson was suspended for an incident that occurred in the hallway at school Wednesday before the game.

"There's no way to replace all of the things she gives you," Petre said. "She gives you points, rebounds, steals. She gives you defense and a physical presence."

McPherson was deeply missed by her team, which was able to hold an 11-point lead in the third quarter. North Babylon's (19-2) offensive production dropped severely in the fourth quarter as it was outscored 22-8.

Jeanette Scott hit a three-point shot to give North Babylon a 44-43 lead, but Gabby Gibson answered back with a trifecta of her own, giving Copiague (18-4) a 46-44 lead, one it would not give up.

"Any momentum we thought we had swung back to [Copiague] quickly," Petre said. "We didn't execute down the stretch."

Walker finished the game with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Gabby Gibson scored 16 and Chelsea Williams dropped 15 for Copiague. Bria Hartley led the Lady Bull Dogs with 18 points.

"We went in knowing we were the best team on Long Island," said Petre, whose team was ranked as high as No. 42 in the nation earlier this season. "Thisloss doesn't diminish the fact that we played a great season."