Seaford prepares for playoff run

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Seaford enters the last week of the regular season gunning for one of the top seeds in the upcoming Nassau Class A girls’ basketball playoffs.

The Lady Vikings entered the week tied with Cold Spring Harbor at 11-1 in Conference ABC with two games remaining. Capturing the league title would sure up one of the top eight seeds and a first round game in front of the home fans.

“Getting a top eight seed guarantees a least one home game and a four seed would mean two at home,” Seaford head coach Bob Vachris said regarding the importance of finishing the regular season strong.

A commanding 59-33 victory at Wheatley last Saturday marked Seaford’s 13th straight win since a 56-47 loss to Cold Spring Harbor back on Dec. 22 that was only blemish on a 16-1 overall record. The Vikings’ dominance comes on the heels of a 19-3 2016-17 season that ended with a 56-47 loss to Elmont in the county semifinals.

Seaford is positioned for another run at a county title this winter thanks to an experienced senior class led by returning starters Julia Siler at guard and her twin sister Jenna Siler, Jaclyn Grzelasczyk and Madison O’Hagan in the frontcourt. Senior Lilly Kolodinsky has also stepped into the starting role and tallied 10 points in 65-56 win against Wantagh on Dec. 29.

“They have been playing together since they were in the third grade,” Vachris said of his seniors. “They have done terrific.”

Boasting a strong inside and outside game has helped keep opposing teams on their toes. Julia Siler and Kolodinsky are long-range shooting threats while Grzelasczyk, Jenna Siler and O’Hagan are strong offensive presences in the post.

“One night you get 15 points and out of Julia Siler and the next night you get 29 out of Jaclyn Grzelasczyk,” Vachris said. “The balance is great.”

O’Hagan led the Seaford offense in last Saturday’s Wheatley win with 21 points. Siler drilled three three-pointers as part of a 16-point effort while Grzelasczyk finished with 14.

Seaford’s strong lineup is complemented by strong contributions off the bench. Sophomore forward Jamie McSorley has added to the Vikings’ depth in the frontcourt achieving double digits in three games. Junior Gina Toscano has emerged as a defensive stopper in her first season on varsity.

Vachris said the entire team is rallying around making the upcoming playoffs memorable for a senior-laden team. He has been impressed by the attitudes of the younger players during games and practices even if they don’t see the court much.

“The kids on the bench who don’t get to play a lot have been all in on this,” he said. “It’s great to have that.”

Seaford closes the regular season this Thursday against Carle Place at 6:30 p.m. Depending on playoff seeding, the game could be the final time Seaford’s prolific senior class plays on their home court.

“This is the most talented team I have ever had,” said Vachris, who has led Seaford to the county semifinals twice in the last four years. “I’ve never had five seniors like this.”