Mules search for the elusive ‘W’

The girls’ team enters the season mired in a 12-game losing streak that dates back to their last win on Jan. 17, 2020. That includes an 0-6 mark last winter in which the Mules averaged just over 28 points a game.

Head coach Amanda Masson has decided to push the reset button and use this season as a fresh start with a roster filled with mostly underclassmen.

“We have a young team, but they’re definitely developing,” she said. “I can see us doing pretty well this season.”

That optimism originated from training camp. The school doesn’t have a JV team, so the newcomers are learning the speed of the varsity game on the fly.

“They’re hustling and have a willingness to learn,” she observed. “It’s really challenging because there are a lot of freshman and sophomores that are not used to it. But them grasping it quickly is what I’m seeing.”

The team is lead by sixth-year varsity point guard Princia Ulysse, who averaged just over nine points a game last season. She had three double-digit point games during her junior campaign, including a season-high 17 against Oyster Bay on Feb. 16.

“She’s going to be handling the ball the most,” Masson said. “Now, this is her time to show leadership. She’s more vocal and confident in her plays and attacking more.”

Ulysse will be joined in the backcourt by sophomore Mikayla Johnson. The pair established a nice chemistry during the preseason scrimmages and Masson is excited to see how that further develops in the coming months.

Senior guard Jasmine Ackies is back with the team after missing last season and junior Jamila Smith will ease Ulysse’s workload as another guard. Freshman Tyzanae Reed is a tough power forward who projects to be the team’s top rebounder and junior Anissa McKay provides the spark off the bench.