Balanced attack paces Elmont

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It’s no secret Elmont has pair of players that it relies on heavily to find the bottom of the net. With sophomores Zhaneia Thybulle and Nkem Nwabudu each averaging over 13 points per contest, the Lady Spartans have emerged as one of the county’s top basketball teams.

However, Elmont is far from a two-headed monster. In the Lady Spartans’ 52-23 road win over Carey last Friday afternoon, eight players scored, four in double figures, as the team improved to 15-1 (11-0 in Conference A-I). 

Junior Kiera Holland scored 12 points, eight in the first quarter, and freshman Gigi Faison added 10 to lead Elmont. Thybulle and Nwabudu each scored 10 points. Frankie Cirone led Carey with 10 points.

Elmont head coach Tom Magno liked the display of balanced scoring. “The girls are playing very unselfishly, and sharing the ball,” Magno said. “We’ve been working hard to improve our half-court offense; finding the open player when we’re trapped or doubled for open looks. I feel like we’re just getting better.”

After falling behind 14-5 after the first eight minutes, Carey got a three from Brett Robison, and baskets from Cirone and sophomore Alexa Rescigno to open the second quarter on a 7-0 run. 

Any hopes of an upset were dashed quickly. The Lady Spartans got on a roll and never stopped. Thanks in part to remarkable driving layups by Thybulle and Faison, the team went on to score the final 10 points of the half to take a 24-14 lead at the break.

Elmont’s dominance carried over to the second half. The Lady Spartans picked up the intensity on defense, and all five starters scored at least once as they ran out to a commanding 40-12 lead. 

With Elmont’s pressing and trapping forcing numerous turnovers, the Lady Seahawks, who fell to 5-10 overall (3-8 in A-I), were held scoreless for over nine minutes. A jumper by Cirone with 1:48 to play in the third quarter put an end to Elmont’s 26-0 run. 

Since dropping a non-league contest to Archbishop Molloy in mid-December, the Lady Spartans have won 11 straight games in a league that many feel is the strongest in the county. In a 47-46 win over Sewanhaka, Thybulle scored 12 points and had five steals, and Nwabudu pulled down 14 boards.

Nwabudu was dominant in a 50-36 victory over Garden City. She matched her season high with 22 points and added 14 rebounds to lead the way. The Lady Spartans had a 15-2 fourth quarter to put the game away. Thybulle had an outstanding game when she put up a season-high 24 points in a 54-33 win against a Manhasset team that plays everyone tough.

With repeat matchups with Garden City and Sewanhaka upcoming, the Lady Spartans, who have won 23 consecutive league games, should be more than prepared for the Class A playoffs. 

Elmont welcomes in Garden City this Friday at 4:30 p.m.