Nassau BC girls basketball preview
Friends Academy's Lindsay O'Sullivan, right, looks to drive past Stony Brook's Madison Rylands during the third quarter. (March 7, 2013) Credit: James Escher
NASSAU BC
1. FRIENDS ACADEMY QUAKERS
Coach: Ryan Schneider
Key players
G Kristina Kim, 5-9
G Maddie O'Brien, 5-4
F Ellie Shibley, 5-11
F Lindsay O'Sullivan, 5-11
C Rose Mangiarotti, 5-11
Outlook: Won the Long Island "C" title and returns most of its core; Kim, O'Sullivan and Mangiarotti lead a dynamic group.
2. CARLE PLACE FROGS
Coach: Michael Bello
Key players
G Sarah Pisani, 5-2
G Kasey Burden, 5-8
F Meredith McLaughlin, 5-7
F Laura Murphy, 5-7
F Maria Hyland, 5-10
Outlook: Reached the Nassau "B" final last season and should contend again; Pisani is a dynamic and explosive guard.
3. OYSTER BAY BAYMEN
Coach: Sandy Rossen
Key players
G Faith Smith, 5-2
G Gianna Gotti, 5-4
G Caroline Kelly, 5-4
G Christina Testa, 5-3
F Hannah Kaiser, 5-8
Outlook: Running team that can score in bunches; reached the playoffs last year and thus far, has looked more potent.
4. WHEATLEY WILDCATS
Coach: Brian McConaghy
Key players
G Allie LaMonica, 5-1
G Perri Schreiber, 5-2
F Ankita Kelkar, 5-7
F Olivia Braito, 5-6
C Alana Leahy, 5-11
Outlook: All-new starting lineup could have growing pains, but athleticism and defense make them competitive.
5. MALVERNE MULES
Coach: Micheal Pelan
Key players
G Stephanie Gee, 5-3
G Alexis Lopez, 5-4
G Richelle Cardoza, 5-5
G Alexis Lake, 5-11
F Destiny Samuel, 6-0
Outlook: Have already improved off last year's winless record; athletic team looking to build experience; Racquelle Findlayter is spark off bench.
6. EAST ROCKAWAY ROCKS
Coach: Karin Leary
Key players
G Caitlin O'Mara, 5-5
G Erica Acampora, 5-5
G Gina Skelly, 5-3
F Kim McCann, 5-7
C Alessia Drevnyak, 5-11
Outlook: Enthused about return to normalcy after being displaced following superstorm Sandy; improving team led by McCann, a standout forward.
