Clarke shows signs of progress

Despite just two seniors on the roster and a challenging schedule, Clarke’s girls’ basketball team continues to make progress under second-year head coach Jessica Dlabola and can no longer be taken lightly.

While the Lady Rams search for consistency on offense, they’ve not only surpassed last season’s win total but have played competitive ball every night. Last Friday evening, they came up short at Mineola, 41-26, as the hosts controlled the paint with sophomore forwards Samantha Venus and Gabrielle Jurksas. Eight players scored for Clarke (2-8 overall), which was led by sophomore Jessica Gibaldi’s six points.

“Getting shots to fall is our biggest problem, but that can only get better and we’ve improved in a lot of areas,” Dlabola said. “We’re doing a good job passing the ball and getting open looks. We had a bunch of shots go in-and-out tonight, and their size didn’t allow us many second chances.”

Mineola opened the second quarter on a 12-point run to build a 23-8 lead. The margin was only three after the first quarter as the Lady Rams got two baskets from Gibaldi and one apiece from freshman Hannah Zirkel and junior Charissa Perfect. Clarke also managed the last two buckets on the half to get within 11. Each of its two seniors scored — Erica Mojocoa banked in a running one-hander and Maryam Khan drained a short jumper.

But the Lady Mustangs came out flying in the second half. Katie Prioto and Venus (game-high 12 points) sandwiched three-pointers around a basket by Clarke sophomore Gabby Martins, and the lead swelled to 37-15 by the end of three quarters. Dlabola was pleased with her team’s effort in the fourth. Six players had at least one point as the Lady Rams closed on an 11-4 run.

“The girls always play hard to the end,” Dlabola said.

Clarke was coming off a 31-19 victory over Roosevelt for its first conference win of the season and second overall. Gibaldi, who runs the show from the point guard position, proved a handful for the Lady Rough Riders with 18 points, 10 steals and six assists. She had a hand in every point the Lady Rams scored from the field. “We ask a lot of her, and she’s only a sophomore,” Dlabola said.

A 10-3 third-quarter run broke open a close game. Kahn added eight points and eight rebounds.

Clarke suffered tough losses to open the conference schedule, falling to West Hempstead by three points and Valley Stream North by two. Junior Amanda Gardiulo had 11 points against West Hempstead, while Gibaldi hit for 15 against Valley Stream North. The Lady Rams also had a strong first half in a recent loss to Island Trees and got 10 points from junior Amanda Astudillo.

“We’ve shown we can be in a game with anybody,” Dlabola said. “We’re competitive.”

The second half of the conference schedule gets underway Friday with a trip to West Hempstead for a 6:30 p.m. start. Clarke’s next home game is Jan. 29 against Valley Stream North.