West Hempstead makes progress

Coming into the 2011-12 basketball season, West Hempstead girls’ head coach Chris Van Kovics knew his team would be in for some rough nights. With a pair of games against the likes of Lynbrook, Floral Park, Great Neck North, and Manhasset in league play, the Rams had their work cut out for them.

With losses to the top three teams in the conference over the last week of the season, West Hempstead finished with an overall record of 6-11, 4-8 in Conference A-III. Despite a record that was less than favorable, the young Rams made plenty of progress.

Van Kovics doesn’t believe the record tells the whole story. “We’re one of the youngest teams around, so we knew it was going to be tough playing against experienced upperclassmen,” Van Kovics said. “We were in seven of the 12 league games until the end, and did some things that gave teams fits. We got a lot better than we were when the season began, and played pretty well on defense.”

The Rams got off to a real nice start winning two of their first three non-league contests. A trio of sophomores, Kara Lynch (11), and sisters Nicole (15) and Jackie Christenson (10) all hit for double figures in a 43-31 opening night win over Roosevelt.

The twin sisters helped the Rams put up another win a week later. Jackie Christenson scored 14 points and Nicole Christenson added 13 in a 40-34 triumph over Westbury. West Hempstead finished the non-league schedule at 2-3.

The Rams took care of business when the conference season began, knocking off Valley Stream South and Glen Cove. Jackie Christenson scored 14 points in both games. In a 42-37 win over host Valley Stream South, the Rams trailed by three entering the fourth quarter, but got 10 points for Jackie Christiansen in the final eight minutes.

In the win over Glen Cove, it was the West Hempstead defense that was the difference. The visiting Rams held Glen Cove to five points in the second half, and came away with a 29-18 victory.

When Valley Steam South and Glen Cove came to town for the second meetings, West Hempstead played its best basketball. Nicole Christiansen tallied back-to-back 21-point games to lead the Rams. Jackie Christiansen added 18 in a 48-38 win over South. In a 47-30 win over Glen Cove, the Big Red was held to one point in the final quarter.

Van Kovics likes the team’s path. “There were plenty of times where we had four sophomores on the court, that has to be a positive going forward,” he said. “We struggled mightily against teams with size, so hopefully we’ll have some help from some of the taller girls from the junior varsity.”