Baldwin dominating conference play

The Baldwin girls’ basketball team is rolling early on this season in its quest for a 10th straight county championship with the entire roster getting a taste of the success.

A 62-24 win against Westbury Jan. 11 moved Baldwin to a 8-3 mark nearing the home stretch of the regular season. The dominant victory marked the fifth game where the Bruins have eclipsed 60 points and fourth where the margin of victory was above 25. 

“We’re a very deep team which is great because in a lot of our league games we get a chance to get everybody in the game,” said longtime head coach Tom Catapano. “It gives us a chance to really showcase all the players on our roster and it’s also great for morale.”

The Westbury victory, which moved Baldwin to 5-0 in Conference AAA, featured a double-double from Ajeya Nicholas, who tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sienna Hardy also had a strong game with 11 points and two steals.

The day before the commanding Westbury win, Baldwin knocked off Oceanside, 67-41, aided by a 24-7 third quarter run. Payton Dulin and Chinaya Okogeri both chipped in 14 points while Toni Smith registered a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds.)

Its closest conference game so far was a 61-47 win over Syosset Dec. 14. The Bruins had four players score in double figures: Dulin (16), Okogeri (15), Smith (11) and senior Renelle Grannum (10.)

Dulin has helped quarterback the offense as a veteran point guard who has fielding multiple Division I college offers. Catapano has also been impressed with the play of Smith in the post.

“She epitomizes what Baldwin girls basketball is all about with how tough and competitive she is,” Catapano said of the 5-foot-10 Smith.  “She's undersized, but what she lacks in size she makes up for with heart and effort.” 

Catapano has once again crafted a challenging non-league schedule as preparation for the postseason. Baldwin posted a 53-48 win against Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem Catholic in the Slinky High School Showcase on Dec. 3 led by 24 points from Dulin. The Bruins were also given a competitive game by local Catholic school program Sacred Heart Academy in a 38-26 victory on Dec. 28 where Smith had a monster showing with 16 points and 15 rebounds. 

“We always try and get the girls in front of some college coaches and play some games that are really going to challenge us,” Catapano said. “It's only going to help us get better and get ready for the playoffs.”

Baldwin will travel to Oceanside for a rematch against the Sailors this Saturday at noon. After a brief break for midterms, the Bruins will host Uniondale on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. and Freeport on Jan. 31 for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff. 

While Baldwin has captured nine straight county titles and repeated as Long Island champions last March, this year’s Bruins’ team is hoping to take an extra step by capturing the program’s first state championship since 2018. 

“I think they take pride in being the next group to try and fulfill that championship and bring it home to Baldwin,” Catapano said. “The tradition matters to them, but we have a long way to go and are just trying to get better every day.”