Wantagh heats up in January

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Wantagh’s girls’ basketball team rebounded from a Jan. 7 loss to South Side with six straight wins and has positioned itself for a fourth straight conference title.

The Lady Warriors entered the week one game up on South Side for first place in Conference A-II at 10-1 with a critical rematch against the Cyclones on tap. Head coach Stan Bujacich said hard work and preparation has been responsible for Wantagh’s run that included winning seven of eight games in January capped by a 50-46 win versus Plainedge last Friday night.

“All the girls have improved themselves by their work ethic in practice,” said Bujacich, who netted his 300th career win on Dec. 22. “Their practices have gotten better and better and that has translated to wins.”

Quad captains Nikki Sliwak, Darcie Smith, Courtney Gendels and Emily Fuchs have helped set the Warriors’ initiative of focusing before and during games. The four were part of Wantagh’s run last year to the Nassau Class A finals before falling to North Shore.

“Their leadership has been the key to our team,” Bujacich said of his four captains. “They know what it takes to win.”

Smith and Sliwak have added experience on the court that is paying dividends in their senior campaigns. Sliwak, who has been on varsity since eighth grade, anchors the backcourt and is averaging over eight points per game. Smith has solidified herself as a dominant post player in her fourth varsity season with 12 double-digit rebound games including three with 20 or more.

“Her rebounding totals are off the chart,” Bujacich said of Smith, who totaled 18 points with 15 rebounds in the Warriors’ victory against Plainedge. “She is really stepping up.”

Smith tallied 14 of her 18 points in the second half Friday and helped ice the game with two late foul shots. Freshman Caitlin Albanese also stepped up big with 10 points, four assists and four rebounds.

“We as a team feel no one player is bigger than the team,” Smith said. “It will take a contribution from all 13 players to reach our goal.”

Wantagh entered the season adjusting to a new style of play following the graduation of four-time All-county center Alex Parlato. The Lady Warriors dropped two of their first four games before winning 10 of 12 to position themselves for a high playoff seed.

“As the season went on, we have been trying to push the ball up a lot faster,” said Bujacich. “It took a while to click, but we’re starting to come together in the league schedule.”

After a Feb. 2 rematch with South Side, Wantagh travels to Roslyn this Friday before closing the season at home against Roosevelt next Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. Capturing a fourth straight conference championship would enable the Warriors to get a more favorable seeding for the playoffs that get under way next week.

“Winning the conference would probably guarantee us at least one home playoff game,” said Bujacich, who led Wantagh to back-to-back county titles in 2005 and 2006. “We control our own destiny.”