Again it’s down to Fenway and New Mission

Fenway and New Mission have been the standardbearers for girls basketball in the Boston City League for the past few years.

Thanks to wins in yesterday’s semifinals, the two schools will get to renew acquaintances today at 3 p.m. when they meet at Madison Park for the BCL title.

Yesterday, Taneja Drayton scored eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter as New Mission (14-6) pulled away from upset-minded Latin Academy, 46-37. In the other semifinal, Shania Tarver led a balanced attack with 11 points as Fenway (13-6) led from start to finish in a 50-18 victory over O’Bryant.

“It’s really become a great rivalry between the two teams,” said Fenway coach John Rice, who will be gunning for his 18th BCL title. “Playing in the Boston City League playoffs is fun and it’s extra special for the kids on both sides.”

Yesterday, Fenway was able to employ its suffocating full-court pressure to make life difficult for O’Bryant. The Tigers turned over the ball 31 times in the first three quarters and made just three field goals in that stretch.

In addition to Tarver, talented freshman forward Janayah Gulley added six points and six rebounds for the Panthers, who led 27-5 at the half.

In the second semifinal, freshman Ashlee Serrette (13 points, six rebounds, five assists) scored eight quick points as New Mission jumped out to a 10-3 lead. But Latin Academy clawed its way back behind the play of Lizzie Frattaroli and Michaela Russell, narrowing the deficit to 18-13 by halftime.

“We just haven’t been able to play a complete game, we always seem to play in spurts,” New Mission coach Mitchell Hercule said. “We’ve only had our entire team together for four games, so we’re still learning.”

Latin Academy, which lost to New Mission by 35 points earlier in the season, refused to go away. Three-point buckets by Kalyan Leahy and Russell kept them Dragons within striking distance, before Serrette and fellow freshman Jasharee Greene scored to boost the New Mission lead to 34-29 after three quarters.

Drayton opened the fourth with a pair of treys to extend the lead to double digits. Greene added four of her 12 points down the stretch to send the Titans to the finals once again.

“Fenway is the team to beat, they’re on top of the mountain,” Hercule said. “If we can rebound with them, I think we will be right there.”