The girls basketball team hopes to finish their season with the same success as last year, though they are acutely aware of the obstacles they must overcome to achieve their goal.  After finishing the season strong last year with a record of 15-5, the girls look to continue without a major hiccup into this season.  The Vikings have started this season off a bit shaky with a 2-3 record.  Although they haven’t started as confidently as they did last lear, many players are hopeful for the rest of the season.

“I believe that this team can make it to at least to the second round of the playoffs,” said sophomore Kate Shanahan.

The second round of playoffs is a major goal, especially for this team.  They are in a unique position since, since they haven’t made it that far in four years.  Above all, they are seeking revenge from last years first-round loss.

“I believe this team can really do some damage in the playoffs, said senior Rebecca Rosen.  “I can see us getting over the hump and getting past the second round.”

Teams are often concerned about losing key players when they graduate. This was the case for the basketball team, as many people thought this would be a down year for Coach Dennis Trottier’s team after losing many key seniors.  However, many underclassmen and first-year varsity players seem up to the task.  Although this season hasn’t all been smooth sailing, it seems that the younger players are starting to find their role at the varsity level.

“We are a younger team this year.  It has been an adjustment for many people but the older players are relying on us underclassmen to step up and contribute,” said Shanahan.

The underclassmen have immense promise so far, and they will continue to develop as the season progresses. Shanahan and Sabine Rosaya combined for 25 points through two games of the season.

The way players play the game is key to the team’s coherence and success, as each player brings something different to the team, and it is important for the girls to adjust to the new players’ tactics in comparison to the graduated players.

“We have two senior captains who bring experience to our team, as well as a good balance of youth and basketball intelligence,” said Shanahan.

The team has lost a number of key players, but this year, all the girls have different strengths that carry the team through the games and will hopefully help the girls reach their playoff goal.

“Newcomers Julia Bischoff and Sabine Rosaya definitely add height to our team, and Kate Shanahan and Julia Ciorciari add athleticism,” said Rosen.

The strength of this team lies in its tenacity on the defensive end of the floor, as they use their athleticism and speed to cause many turnovers and get out into transition.  Although their defense is strong, one area they need to improve on is three point shooting, according to Rosen.  The Vikings are attempting to put all the right pieces together to make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year.

The Vikings got off to a good start this season winning their first game at home against Valley Stream Central 41-25. During that game the team was led by 11 points by both Rosen and Shanahan, as well as 8 points from senior Emma Waxman.

To follow up that game, Port lost by a combined 32 points over their next two games home against South Side and home against Garden City.  Port struggled through both those games, as the Vikings could neither stop neither Grace Kelly of Garden City nor Gianna Mauro of South Side, two of the strongest players in the county.

The Viking’s next game was against Manhasset, where the girls put up a good fight but just fell short against their opponents.  Rosen led the Vikings with 12 points.  Junior Sophie Gindi and senior Tyler Owens both delivered a strong performance, adding in 11 and 10 points respectively.

However, in a statement game, Port ended their string of bad luck by obliterating Wheatley with final score of 48-24.  The Vikings ended up changing the course of their season with a major win.  Port was once again led by strong performances by Gindi, who scored 10 points, Rosen, who scored 8 points, and Waxman, who also scored 8 points.  The girls hope to to add to their outstanding performance against Wheatley when they  play at home against Long Beach.