Dalton Girls Basketball Claims Fourth Straight NYSAIS Championship

The victory at the Spence Athletic Center capped another historic season for the team, who finished 25-1 and secured their fifth title in the past seven years. This matchup was a rematch of last year’s finals, where Dalton defeated Fieldston, 69-37. This time, the Tigers left no doubt, overpowering their league rival with an impressive all-around performance.

The game remained close early, with Dalton holding a 12-6 lead after the first quarter. But as they did a year ago, the team broke the game open in the second quarter. A relentless defensive effort and fast-paced transition play helped Dalton take control. With just under a minute remaining in the second quarter, senior Hannah Diker drained a three-pointer from the corner, the team’s first after starting 0-for-5 from beyond the arc. The shot rang out with a resounding "Boom," sparking a 7-of-13 shooting run from the three-point line to close the game.

Dalton’s defense was suffocating throughout. Led by senior captains Izzy Wesley and Nyla Blake-Soden, along with juniors Astou Toure and Kellen Calloway, and 9th grader Joie Christie-Ward, the team held Fieldston to just 10-of-49 shooting for the game, including only two field goals combined in the second and third quarters. Dalton outscored Fieldston by a staggering 46-8 margin over those 16 minutes, turning a close contest into a dominant championship performance.

Sophomore Tali Ben-David led the team in scoring with 17 points. Wesley and Blake-Soden delivered outstanding all-around performances in their final games for Dalton. Wesley controlled the game with 10 assists to go along with 16 points, while Blake-Soden dominated defensively with 11 rebounds, six blocks, and five steals, while also contributing 14 points. Nine different players played a part in the scoring, underscoring the team's depth and balance.

This season was one marked by dominance. Dalton entered the year riding a 38-game winning streak, which grew to 58 before being snapped in a triple-overtime thriller against Albertus Magnus, the defending AA state champions. That 58-game winning streak was the second-longest in New York State history. The Tigers also went undefeated in league play for the fourth straight year, capturing the Ivy League title for the fourth consecutive time. Dalton solidified its status as one of the best teams in New York State, capping off the season with a No. 1 ranking in Class A by the New York State Sportswriters Association.