Confident Floral Park ready to face Rye in state semifinal
Floral Park's Kaela Hilaire reacts as time expires on March 5, 2016. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
The state tournament is uncharted territory for all but one member of the Floral Park girls basketball team. That said, there’s no shortage of confidence leading up to the Knights’ trip to Troy, where they’ll face Rye on Friday in a state Class A semifinal.
Kaela Hilaire, Long Island’s leading scorer at 30.2 points per game, led the Knights with 26 points in a 62-53 win over Islip in the Long Island Class A title game. She’s the only Knight to experience a state tournament, but it was as a member of Long Island Lutheran’s 2013 state Federation championship team.
“I’ve been telling them about my experience up there,” Hilaire said. “It doesn’t come around often, so enjoy it while you can. But also know that we’re going up there to win it.”
She also made an impact against Islip as a distributor, leading the Knights with eight assists. She averaged 7.8 assists per game this season.
Natalie Hickman, Aideen Gil and MaryKate Guerriero have been beneficiaries of Hilaire’s passing all season. They are keys in Friday’s 3:15 p.m. game. Hickman (9.4 points per game) and Guerriero (60 three-pointers) have been consistent, and Gil (4.3 points per game) has answered when called upon.
“Natalie has been such a cog for us,” coach Mike Spina said. “[Gil] doesn’t light up the stat sheet offensively, but she’s got a very good midrange jump shot.”
Hilaire is unselfish when met by defenders. And when she gets in a groove, everyone benefits. For example, in Floral Park’s win over North Shore in the Nassau Class A semifinals, Hilaire got three assists on three-pointers by Hickman after driving the lane, being met by two defenders and passing the ball outside.
Her passing prowess will be tested against Rye. Spina said the Garnets will work to keep the ball out of Hilaire’s hands, forcing her teammates to create. Rye’s man-to-man help defense rotates well and closes well on shooters.
Rye’s offense is led by Maddie Eck, Katie Popp and Taylor Maurer. But Spina trusts Hilaire, Hickman and Gil as defensive stoppers.
Hilaire, who is 5-3, held 6-2 Meghan Oberg to three points in the win over Islip. Hickman has guarded tough forwards in Islip’s Sanne van Poelgeest and Sachem East’s Danielle Cosgrove.
Hilaire, who oozes confidence on the court, says her teammates are ready for state play.
“Don’t doubt us,” she said. “Don’t doubt that we can make history.”
