Long Island girls basketball: 10 things to watch this season
Ainsley Dircks of Cold Spring Harbor looks for an open lane to the basket during the Nassau Class B girls championship basketball game against Carle Place at Farmingdale State on March 7. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
1. What will Cold Spring Harbor do for an encore?
Cold Spring Harbor made program history last season, capturing its first state championship behind senior Ryan Reynolds.
Now, with Reynolds graduated and no seniors on the roster, the pressure shifts to the underclassmen. Can junior Olivia Mulada and her teammates push the Seahawks back to the top in the state in Class B?
Mulada played a pivotal role in last year’s title run, giving Cold Spring Harbor the lead with a minute left in the state final and finishing with 16 points.. Sophomore guard Ainsley Dircks, another key piece in last year's championship, is expected to take on an even larger role this season.
2. Can St. Mary’s make another state title run?
St. Mary’s may be a small program, but it has carved out a place among Long Island’s elite. With a senior class drawing national interest, the Gaels look to build on last year’s CHSAA Class AA runner-up finish, relying on their speed, toughness, defense and maturity to make another run at a state title.
The nine-player roster will be led by Destiny Robinson, the 6-foot forward holding an offer from Syracuse. She averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds last season. Kayla Solomon, a UMass Lowell commit, averaged 15 points, and LaSalle University commit Tiana Thompson averaged 10 points and eight rebounds.
3. Can Syosset take that next step and win its first state title?
Syosset made program history last season. It captured back-to-back county titles and secured its first Long Island Class AAA championship.. That earned the program its first trip to the state tournament, where their run ultimately ended in the semifinals.
Now, Syosset wants more. It returns a seasoned senior group — led by last year’s top scorer, Samantha Schneider, who averaged more than 20 points per game — along with a young, energized core ready to step in and make an impact.
4. Can Brentwood keep climbing?
Brentwood’s transformation has been striking. Two years removed from a two-win season, they went undefeated in league play and captured the program’s first Suffolk Class AAA title last year. . The surge was fueled by seniors Jada Hood and Angelina Williams.
Brentwood returns key contributors, including junior guard Angelina Almonacy, who is a smooth, versatile scorer. Senior Janessa Love, a high-IQ player who consistently finds the right spots on the floor, will also be key as the program eyes its first Long Island title.
5. How far can star-studded LuHi go?
Long Island Lutheran has been a national powerhouse for years, and this season is no exception. The No. 2-ranked team in the country returns an elite senior class, with four of its five seniors committed to Power Four programs. Olivia Jones, the No. 14 guard in the Class of 2026, is headed to Vanderbilt. Savvy Swords (No. 19) and Emily McDonald (No. 23) are both committed to Kentucky and Sanai Green (No. 25) will play at Duke.
6. Will new addition take St. Dominic to next level?
St. Dominic’s rise has been fueled by its senior trio of Mia Padula, Gabby Himmelstein and Kay DeRose. They guided the Bayhawks to a CHSAA Class A championship and a state semifinal appearance. This season, they add former Glenn star Riley Szokoli, a nearly 20-point-per-game scorer, giving the team even more firepower to contend for another title.
7. Can Wantagh win the state title?
Kayla Mannix electrified Wantagh last season, averaging 15.7 points and igniting an unforgettable comeback in the state Class A semifinal. With her scoring, leadership and fearless play in the clutch, the junior forward has proven she can turn games around. This season, she’ll be the spark looking to lead Wantagh even further.
8. Will Bayport-Blue Point make another run at a county title?
Bayport-Blue Point is one of the most athletic teams on Long Island — every player on the roster is a three-sport varsity athlete. The Phantoms, who captured the county championship two years ago, are hoping to return to that level of success this season. With speed, skill, and versatility on their side, they’ll be a team to watch as they chase another title.
9. Babylon back and even better than last season?
Babylon had the best season in program history last year, finishing 19–3, but its hopes for a Long Island championship fell short against Cold Spring Harbor. This season, the Bulldogs return seven players, giving them a roster full of depth, athleticism and experience.
They’ll be led by senior Peyton Logue Boyd, a proven scorer and leader, and freshman Morgan Fiedler, whose talent and court vision immediately make her a player to watch. With a mix of seasoned players and exciting young talent, Babylon looks ready to compete at the highest level and make another run at the Long Island crown.
10. Can a younger Baldwin team continue championship tradition?
Baldwin is the defending state Class AA champion, coming off a 24-2 record that included one of the toughest schedules on Long Island. But the Bruins face a new challenge: key seniors have graduated, including Newsday’s Player of the Year, Payton Dulin, leaving only one returning starter from last season.
The team’s makeup may be different, but the championship culture remains. Baldwin still boasts talented players and depth across the roster, and the squad is eager to step up and prove that the program’s success can continue.
