Fourth-year Yorktown coach Kristi Dini lost two key players from last year’s 13-9 squad, which, as the No. 10 seed, defeated host No. 7 Gorton 48-13 in the opening round of the Section 1 Class AA Tournament before losing its quarterfinal at No. 2 seed and eventual section champion Rye 47-20.
“We graduated our two All-League players Ava Costello and Sofia Boucher,” said Dini, a 2005 Putnam Valley graduate, the school’s first-ever 1,000-point scorer, who was inducted into its Hall of Fame this year on June 18. “But we have some young returning talent we are very excited about.”
Yorktown will be led by returners, 5-foot-7 senior forward Kiera Mooney, 5-7 freshman guard Reilly Acosta, 5-5 sophomore guard Sophia Marcello, and 5-10 sophomore center Addison Schluter.
“As a group I always expect this team to be focused, the most prepared, and to play tough win or lose,” Dini said. “These girls are great teammates and they love hoops. Our defense is going to be tough to deal with and we will leave everything out on the court every game.”
Yorktown’s other returnees are 5-7 junior guard Annie Cunneen, 5-3 junior guard Kylie Costello, 5-8 sophomore guard Ava Ryan, and 5-8 sophomore center Julia Scavello.
Freshman 5-9 guard Erin Duffy, who was called up from the JV last year, is the sister of Ryan Duffy, who as a senior was a co-captain and All-Section forward last season for the Huskers’ boys squad.
“Erin is a tall, long guard that can also play inside if needed,” Dini said. “She’s really talented and can score which is something we need. She’s going to be a great addition.”
Freshman 5-8 forward Isabella Todd was also a JV callup a season ago while 5-6 sophomore forward Maya Price is a newcomer.
Yorktown opens its season by hosting Brewster at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
“Our first goal is to continue to build the culture and grow on what we’ve built,” Dini said. “We have daily goals, weekly goals, and seasonal goals. Some of those are between the coaches and the team but our biggest thing, which is the foundation for all of our goals, is how hard we practice and being the most prepared team every game, win or lose. I expect our defense to be tough, as that’s something we pride ourselves on. We have some young talent and we are working on a lot of things right now that I’m excited about.”
Second-year Lakeland coach Mike Auerbach is coming off a campaign where his Hornets qualified for the postseason as the No. 12 seed, being tied 19-19 at halftime before losing at No. 5 Fox Lane 56-47 in the opening round of the Section 1 Class AA Tournament, to finish 9-12.
Lakeland returns most of its roster from a year ago having only graduated two seniors in Sarah Devane and Amanda Franco.
Riley Waters, a 5-6 junior guard, was an All-Conference selection a year ago, averaging 13 points and 4 assists per game. Liliana Aguirre is a 5-6 sophomore guard who averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game as a freshman. Returning to step into larger roles this year are 5-7 senior forward Emily Hahn, 5-8 sophomore forward Carina Cannizzaro, 5-6 sophomore guard Emma Burke, and 5-4 eighth-grade guard Allie Waters.
Sam Alleva, a 5-6 senior guard and Maebh Rooneyk, a 5-10 junior forward, are returnees who will both play important roles as well.
“We were a very young varsity team a year ago, and still are, but we return with a year of experience at this level for most of our core,” Auerbach said. “It’s evident early on that all of our returners have been working hard in the offseason and have made significant strides as players. We’re looking for our returners to continue to set a great example in practices, games, and off the court for the rest of the group.”
Riley Waters, Aguirre, and Hahn are the Hornets’ captains.
“We expect them to continue to just be who they are,” Auerbach said. “All three were picked to be captains because they are extremely consistent in their energy, effort, and enthusiasm towards what we’re trying to be as a program.”
The Hornets added four players this season and all will contribute in various ways. A pair of sophomores, Alyssa Traille, a 5-6 guard and Theryn Rader, a 5-10 forward, both defend and rebound at a varsity level.
Lily Bauer, a 5-6 freshman guard, has fit in well offensively early on from the perimeter and around the basket. Adriana Ar-Bab is a 5-4 seventh-grade guard who will handle the ball at times and can knock down shots, in addition to creating for her teammates.
Lakeland opens the season at Brewster at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.
“Our only expectation is to continue to build great daily habits, improving each day as a team, and individuals,” Auerbach said. “Our practices early on have been really good. The girls work hard and enjoy being around each other. We’re focusing right now on being connected as a group in all areas, offensively, defensively, transition, off the court, etc. We want to play at a faster pace than we did a year ago. Returning a handful of guards with varsity experience should help in that area. If we can turn defense into offense more consistently it’ll make a big difference for us this season.”
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