Brina Pollack's high school career came to an end on Sunday one game short of a state championship, as Marlboro (24-4) lost to Paterson Eastside 43-36. Chakhia Cole led Marlboro with 14 points, followed by Pollack's nine. It was the NJSIAA Group IV championship game, which is equivalent to Indiana's Class 4A championship game. The Mustangs have reached the Central Jersey Group IV championship game the last three years, winning it in 2001 and 2003. Marlboro did not arrive in the championship game easily. After a first round bye, Marlboro had little difficulty with West Windsor-Plainsboro South, beating them 49-37. Pollack scored 16 points. Four of her five filed goals came on short jumpers in the first half, and she had a 6-of-7 touch from the freethrow line.
In the next game, Marlboro was down 45-41 with three minutes remaining to Trenton Central. Pollack had two steals and the assist to an open Christie Kastner that eventually tied the game at 49-49 with 30 seconds remaining. A foul shot by Cole gave Marlboro the 50-49 win.
Pollack would play role of hero to help Marlboro escape No. 2 Hillsborough four nights later. She fired a short jumper just inside the freethrow line to kill Hillsborough's run and end the game with a 40-38 victory. Pollack led the Mustangs with 15 points.
On to the Group IV Final Four and a matchup with Toms River North. Marlboro jumped out to a lead, expanded it to double-digits, and maintained it for the game. Pollack had 16 points in the 58-39 win, which put them in the cahmpionship game against Paterson Eastside.
Pollack averaged 12.5 points per game as a senior, and ends her high school career with a 101-15 record with Marlboro. She was second on her team in scoring to Chakhia Cole's 13.4.
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