Wantagh girls’ basketball kick-started the 2024-25 season into high gear with wins in 11 of its first 12 games as it eyes another chance at a championship later this winter.
The Warriors’ strong start has been fueled by a strong core of returning players who reached the Class A finals last February and were also part of Wantagh championship teams over the past year with girls lacrosse and soccer.
Longtime head coach Stan Bujacich credits the leadership of his senior captains Juliana Cerasi and Riley Forthofer, who were both part of the Warriors soccer and girls lacrosse championship teams and are now looking to deliver the first hoops title since 2006.
Cerasi,a James Madison University commit for women’s lacrosse, brings athleticism to the backcourt while Forthofer creates an inside presence at center.
“They know how to lead on the court and the system and they have a great connection with the coaches that is invaluable right now,” Bujacich said. “The other kids respect them a lot.”
Sophomore small forward Kayla Mannix, who was also part of the championship soccer team in the fall,is the team's leading scorer so far in her second season starting. Mannix was clutch in a 44-39 win at Floral Park on Jan. 9 with four three throws converted down the stretch to preserve the victory as part of a 15-point performance with five steals and five assists.
Wantagh has also gotten solid contributions from freshman Isabelle Ferraro, who has made big strides since moving up to the varsity as a freshman for the playoffs. She sank three 3-pointers in Wantagh’s 47-46 non-league win against neighborhood foe MacArthur on Jan. 6.
The MacArthur victory provided a confidence boost against a team considered one of the championship favorites in Class AA. Forthofer tallied the game-winning layup off a pass from
Mannix with 12.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as part of a 15-point, eighth rebound game. Cerasi also nearly achieved a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Warriors’ successful start to the season included a dominant defensive performance in a 41-11 win against Mineola on Dec. 13 in which Wantagh led 20-0 after the first quarter and 32-8 at halftime. Ferraro led the offense with 14 points while junior point guard Sabrina Asadurian also had a solid game with nine points and five assists.
“We were locked in very well that game,” Bujacich said. “That was probably the best half of basketball we played all season.”
The Warriors closed last week with a 47-35 non-league win against Class AAA1 foe Massapequa last Saturday in which Mannix registered 18 points, 10 steals and five assists.
Wantagh (11-1) hosts Valley Stream South Friday at 5 and then will have a week hiatus for midterm exams. The Warriors will visit Mineola on Jan. 25 before a home game on Jan, 28 against Lynbrook, who handed Wantagh its only league loss with a 58-37 setback on Dec. 17.
“They have four senior starters so they're gonna be a tough out, but we'll be ready for the next time,” Bujacich said of Lynbrook. “We have to make some adjustments and we will.”