Owls young with senior leaders

Posted

Lynbrook’s girls’ basketball team is also trying to maintain progressions made in last year’s eccentric season, where it finished .500.

“Last year was such an anomaly as we had a really good team, but it was only a one-month season,” head coach Steve LoCicero said. “This team coming in has a couple of those girls and we’re expecting great things as we have a young team with great senior leadership.”

Kyla Nembach will serve as one of those key senior leaders, as the fourth-year varsity player will function as the central playmaker for the lady Owls. As LoCicero said, “she’s our best player by far.” Senior Keziah Job also will play key minutes for the Owls and provide a steady and comforting presence for the squad.

Junior Kaelynn O’Brien will start at guard and help stretch the floor, as LoCicero thinks “she really could be special this year.” Junior Caityblu Cavassa will play a supplementary role as a starter, as she will be looked upon to contribute rebounds and shooting for the squad. Junior Tyla Vuotto is another presumed starter, as the three-sport athlete should provide pace and lockdown defense.

A potential X-factor for the team is freshman Cate Jennings, as the program is quite bullish on her. LoCicero said: “She may be the best freshman I’ve ever coached.” Rounding out the rotation is senior Grace Bodian, sophomore Mackenzie Casey, and freshman Brooke Mazzei.

For the Owls’, their style of play will be what carries them throughout this season. “We play a very fast, up-tempo pace,” LoCicero said. “We’re trying to get a shot off every 10 seconds and then trap everywhere on defense.

“We’re in great condition and have great athleticism,” he added. “We also have some high basketball IQ players and a lot of skill so with that pace it won’t be unusual for us to put up 70 points.”