Elmont’s Charlotte Hines (23) drives to the basket during the first...

Elmont’s Charlotte Hines (23) drives to the basket during the first half against Division on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.

For the Elmont girls basketball team, it’s all starting to come together.

The Spartans were riddled with injuries for the majority of the season, but their 52-42 home win over Division in Nassau AA-III play on Monday night extended their winning streak to four as they look to turn their season around just in time for the playoffs.

“We were without four of our starters for a while,” coach Pete Lawson said. “At some point, I only had six or seven girls to play. This season has been very up and down and these girls have been faced with adversity, but now they’re ready to go.”

When the Spartans traveled to Levittown in early January to face the Blue Dragons for the first time, they lost by two points. Senior captain Charlotte Hines was taken out of the game early because of a knee injury. This time around, she finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.

“On the court, she does everything,” Lawson said. “She blocked shots, she helped [and] she scored. Most importantly, she’s our leader.”

The Spartans took a 10-2 lead after the first quarter, and eight of those points came from Hines.

“At the tip, I was just thinking, ‘This is going to be a tough game,’ ” Hines said. “But I know how to play basketball. And I knew if I just played my game, things would work out.”

Senior Kaitlyn Paulino-Rosario sank three three-pointers to close out the half and extend Elmont’s lead to 30-15.

“Kaitlyn is like our motor,” Lawson said. “We can always rely on her. She’s always doing whatever needs to be done and she’s a great shooter.”

Division (14-4) scored the first six points of the third quarter but could never quite catch up.

Senior Emma Robins had 18 points and nine rebounds and freshman Alice Beckett scored 16 points for Division.

Last season, the Spartans fell to Mepham, 51-41, in the first round of the playoffs. Paulino-Rosario said that before each practice this season, the Spartans say, “Let’s get this chip.” Their goal is to make it to the Long Island championship game.

“We’re so determined to get there,” Paulino-Rosario said. “Every time we play, we try to treat it like a playoff game. This team’s effort, our hustle and just our love for one another, that’s what’s going to get us that chip.”

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME