Sarah Longto stood tall.

Kingston High’s junior, in her first season as a starter, had the assignment Monday that has given every Tiger center a handful the last five years — guarding Minisink Valley’s 6-foot-5 Stefanie Dolson.

Longto, the Freeman’s Sportswoman of the Week, turned in a sterling defensive performance in holding the UConn-bound Dolson to a quiet 21 points and 13 rebounds in Kingston’s 53-34 win for its fourth straight Section 9, Class AA basketball title.

“This felt good. We needed that,” said Longto, thinking back to Dolson’s 25-point, 26-rebound effort when Minisink handed the Tigers their only loss of the season two months ago.

The 6-foot-2 Longto, who played behind Dolson in that January game and got burned by her power move, fronted the heavier Dolson and was much more physical. She was constantly bumping and elbowing her, wearing her down and boxing out.

Dolson got intimidated.

At one point, she caught a pass and felt a presence from behind which forced her into an awkward shot. Behind her was 5-5 Tiger forward Ali Ferraro.

The play of Longto and backup Sarah Galloway was a game changer that has Kingston playing Saturday for a state final four berth.

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