Nassau A-5 girls basketball preview
Brianna Fitzgerald #4 of Island Trees, left, races downcourt during a Nassau Conference A-5 girls basketball game against host Mineola High School on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. She scored 36 points to lead Island Trees to an 84-64 win. Credit: James Escher
CLARKE RAMS
Last season: 9-13
Coach: Shaun Fean
KEY PLAYERS
Sara Bongiorno F 5-8 Jr.; Hailey Calabrese F 5-7 Sr.; Kayla Connolly G 5-4 Sr.; Emily Famillette F 5-9 Jr.; Graceann Murphy PG 5-8 Sr.
ABOUT THE RAMS: Clarke won three out of four to wrap up the regular season and earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2004. Watch out for Murphy, who averaged 10 points and 6 assists per game last season.
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS
Last season: 21-1
Coach: Bob Kaible
KEY PLAYERS
Brianna Fitzgerald G 5-9 Sr.; Madison McCormick F 5-9 Jr.; Emma Rochanakit F 5-8 Jr.; Allison Veritzan G 5-7 Jr.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Fitzgerald will lead a fast-paced team that focuses on turning defensive pressure in quick offense. Fitzgerald averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists per game last season.
LOCUST VALLEY FALCONS
Last season: 13-6
Coach: Michael Guidone
KEY PLAYERS
Lindsay Hogan G/F 5-11 So.; Amber Linden F 5-8 So.; Paige O’Brien G 5-6 Sr.; Julia Sabatino G 5-8 Sr.; Payton Tini G 5-7 Fr.
ABOUT THE FALCONS: Sabatino (14 points per game last season), O’Brien (12 points per game last season) and Hogan (11 points per game last season) highlight a three-pronged scoring threat, while Linden will anchor the defense.
MINEOLA MUSTANGS
Last season: 15-4
Coach: Erin Garabedian
KEY PLAYERS
Adriana Ferreira G 5-3 Jr.; Caitlin Kennedy F 5-8 8th.; Erlisa Kabashi F 5-11 Sr.; Theresa McCarey F 5-8 Sr.; Sophie Schrader PG 5-4 So.
ABOUT THE MUSTANGS: Kenney and Kabashi provide some strength and size down low as Mineola looks to return to the postseason.
SEAFORD VIKINGS
Last season: 4-16
Coach: Bob Vachris
KEY PLAYERS
Jamie Horodecki F 5-9 So.; Jamie McSorley C/F 6-0 Sr.; Brooke Surace G 5-4 So.; Parker Surace G 5-4 So.; Taylor Sylvester G 5-6 Jr.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS: A young team, but Seaford has plenty of depth with 10 players coming into the season with previous varsity experience. McSorley will lead the way after averaging 12.7 points per game last season.
VALLEY STREAM SOUTH FALCONS
Last season: 7-13
Coach: Daryl Johnson
KEY PLAYERS
Ceana Adams F 5-8 Jr.; Ciara Gabaldon G 5-0 Jr.; Mariah Gumbs F 5-8 Jr.; Sierra Harris G/F 5-6 So.; Erica Sarpong G/F 5-5 Sr.
ABOUT THE FALCONS: Despite an up and down season last year, Sarpong averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds as a junior. She’ll look for more this season, joined by Gabaldon who averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds per game last season.
WEST HEMPSTEAD RAMS
Last season: 5-11
Coach: Chris Van Kovics
KEY PLAYERS
Jenna Eivazi G 5-6 Sr.; Sanaia Estime F 5-0 So; Amanda Healy G 5-8 So.; Korrina Plair F 5-10 Sr.; Isabel Tavarez G 5-4 So.
ABOUT THE RAMS: Focused on staying healthy this season, West Hempstead is looking to make a return to the playoffs this winter, led by Eivazi and Plair.
