Private school girls basketball preview
Long Island Lutheran's Boogie Brozoski dribbles upcourt in the second quarter of a game against St. John the Baptist. (Jan. 24, 2013) Credit: James Escher
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
LONG ISLAND LUTHERAN CRUSADERS
Coach: Rich Slater
Top players
G Boogie Brozoski, Jr. 5-5
F Taylor Byrne, Jr. 6-2
G Katie Lavelle, Sr. 5-9
G Nani Redford, Jr. 5-6
G Erin Storck, Jr. 5-8
Outlook: The reigning Class A Federation champs have talent, depth and experience everywhere.
UPPER ROOM ROYALS
Coach: Ted Oberg
Top players
G Alissa Alston, So.. 5-6
F Italee Brown-Smikle, So.. 6-0
G Alyssa Murphy, Jr.. 5-10
F Meghan Oberg, So.. 6-2
F Kennethah Harden, Jr.. 5-11
Outlook: With an influx of new talent and a new coach, Upper Room has emerged as the favorite in the IPPSAL.
PORTLEDGE PANTHERS
Coach: Walter Amadio
Top players
G Tamara Simpson, Sr. 5-10
F GraceAnne Woods, Fr. 5-8
G Morgan Follett, Jr. 5-7
F Elizabeth Gahagan, Jr. 5-8
G Allaire Gahagan, So. 5-6
Outlook: Yale-bound senior Tamara Simpson leads a talented team trying to repeat as IPPSAL champions.
LAWRENCE WOODMERE ACAD. TIGERS
Coach: Mike Cohn
Top players
F Arianne Philemy, Fr., 5-10
G Tiffany Philemy, Sr., 5-6
F Maxie Solomon, Sr., 5-7
G Gaby Irizarry, So., 5-5
G Rose Fay, Fr., 5-4
Outlook: There will be growing pains with two freshmen and a sophomore starting, but LWA will compete.
WALDORF WOLVERINESCoach: LaSheena Brown
Top players
F Ajanai Miller, Jr. 6-1
F Marianna Paone, Sr., 5-8
G Jaclyn Proctor, Sr., 6-7
G Sofia Trikas, Sr. 5-4
G Nicole Tsai, Jr., 5-6
Outlook: New players need to be worked in, but the talent is there for a return trip to the IPPSAL final.
