Lynbrook bounces into basketball action

With all but one starter back in the fold from a team that reached the Nassau Class A girls’ basketball quarterfinals, Lynbrook hit the ground running to prepare for the eight-game season approved by Section VIII.

“I don’t want to say we’re not excited to play, because we certainly are,” Owls head coach Steve LoCicero said. “The only slight damper on this whole thing is finding out there aren’t any playoffs. The girls were excited about the possibility of going far and topping what they accomplished last season. But, they’re still pumped to be playing.”

Senior Kayla Schwizer sets the tone defensively from the center position. She’s one of the team’s three captains and was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-20 after averaging 6 blocked shots per game.

Another captain, senior Camilla Bahri, earned All-County honors and is expected to contribute around 15 points per game. She’s a guard with great accuracy from behind the arc and can also be an inside presence at times.

Junior Kyla Nembach is another double-digit scoring guard who excels at both ends of the floor. She’ll run the point along with sophomore Kaelynn O’Brien, who has developed a chemistry with Nembach. O’Brien is quick with a good handle under pressure.

Senior captain Leanna Sullivan is terrific in the paint and fully healthy after battling through a nagging injury last season. She’ll be counted on to defend and rebound. Senior Maggie Bodian is an energetic utility player in line for a bigger role than a season ago.

The Lynbrook boys opened Feb. 10 with a 52-40 home victory over Valley Stream South.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Owls head coach Jamie Adams said. “Getting ready for the season has been fast and furious, and gym time is paramount. The varsity and JV are practicing together and the kids are just thankful to be playing. They’ve been all-in.”

Senior Thomas deMenezes is a third-year varsity player looking to compete at the next level. He was All-Conference as a junior, averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds per game, and can make things happen from the outside or drive to the rim. “He’s the heartbeat of our team,” Adams said.

Senior guard Michael Frank is one of the best perimeter shooters in Nassau. He shot better than 45 percent from behind the arc last season when he averaged 14 points and earned All-Conference honors. He’s joined in the backcourt by sophomore point guard Eli Sherman Murphy.

Up front, the Owls feature a pair of juniors. Richard Correa-Lampasona is 6-foot-5 and averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds. “He’s versatile and we’re looking for him to have an uptick offensively,” Adams said. Junior Haris Sekic will be counted on what starting centers typically need to provide — rebounds and some layups.

“We have a team that’s capable of controlling the glass,” Adams said.