The girls varsity basketball team is ready for playoff competition and are currently preparing for their final regular season game on Feb. 10 against Valley Stream Central.

Port’s varsity team currently sits in third place in Nassau Conference AA-II with an overall record of 14-4 and a conference record of 7-3. Baldwin and Hicksville, the girls’ fiercest competitors, have been pushing the girls to play their hardest throughout the season.

The team started the season on the right foot, opening with a 51-32 win over the Roslyn Bulldogs on Nov. 29.

Senior captain Rachel Rosen started her season from the tip-off of this game scoring on the very first play. Rosen has not looked back ever since day one of this season.  She is playing atop all of the Long Island competition, averaging nearly eight points per game and is leading her team in rebounds and assists.

“Next year, losing Rachel is going to be tough, but that does not mean that we can’t overcome it,” said Rebecca Rosen, Rachel’s sister and teammate.  “She has been a key player on fast breaks, and is leading the team in assists and that is tough to replace.”

Rebecca is among the many players who believe that everyone will step up next year to replace Rachel.  Enjoying their last season on the basketball court together, the Rosen sisters, along with the rest of the Lady Vikings, want nothing short of a County championship.

“We all are working towards the same goal,” said senior Emma Furst. “Everybody on the team wants to win so badly and we all can’t wait for the playoffs.”

In the team’s most recent game, Port took on East Meadow at home on Feb. 4. The Lady Vikings battled for the entire game and were able to come out with a close victory, beating East Meadow 65-64.

Junior Tyler Owens led the way for Port, scoring 26 points. Rebecca Rosen also added 17 points in the contest.

Owens spent her sophomore year apart from the varsity team and she obtained a full time starting point guard role this season.  Starting out slowly, Owens has not failed to play to the high level of expectation for her.  She has established herself as one of most efficient players in the entire conference averaging nearly 17 points per game.

Owens has also had many standout games this year. She scored her career high 43 points against the East Meadow Jan. 10. To put that in perspective, Port scored 67 points in the entire game. She has also 15 or more points this season in twelve games thus far.

Juniors Owen and Rosen, as well as Emma Waxman, are among the players who will assume an even greater leadership role for the team next season.

Waxman has been a major contributor the the success of the Lady Vikings, averaging over six points per game with three three-pointers. In her best game of the season, she scored 15 against Wheatley on Dec. 2 in a 56-44 victory. Waxman has proven herself to be a great leader both on and off the court, as she is always looking to get better and for her teammates to succeed.

“Emma is an amazing teammate and leader for us,” said Rachel Rosen. “I know she will step up even more next year.”

The girls realize that their success on the court goes far beyond their team’s play. Their coach, Mr. Dennis Trottier, has shaped the team into a great program that looks forward to competing for a championship.

“Trotts has a very good relationship with us since he has been working with most of us for the past couple of years,” said Rebecca Rosen. “He knows how to motivate us and keep our energy high when we need to pick it up.”

The girls success, however, does not only come from coach Trottier. Another key aspect to the team’s success is their ability to get along so well together. This team chemistry carries over into their gameplay.

“We get along very well and it helps us play together because we trust each other and don’t fight on the court,” said Waxman.