Gabrielle Zaffiro of North Shore shoots a jumper during a...

Gabrielle Zaffiro of North Shore shoots a jumper during a game against host Glen Cove on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. Credit: James Escher

Gabby Zaffiro’s name might appear last on most rosters, but now she can confidently say she’s first when talking about North Shore girls basketball’s all-time scorers.

The 5-9 sophomore — yes, a sophomore — eclipsed the previous school record set by Alex Cantwell (1,135) from 2011-2015 when she drilled a three-pointer with three minutes left in the second quarter of North Shore’s 75-43 win over host Lawrence on Thursday night.

“It’s very exciting, but I wouldn’t have been able to get there without my teammates,” said Zaffiro, who is averaging 28.3 points per game this season. “If they weren’t able to make the little plays like the assists, rebounds and steals, I wouldn’t have been able to break it.”

Even though Zaffiro scored the record-setting points before North Shore and Lawrence broke for halftime, Zaffiro didn’t find out she broke the record until her coach, Keith Freund, announced the news to her and her teammates after the game. Zaffiro now has 1,142 points.

“The team was more excited than she was, certainly,” Freund said, laughing. “I’m just so proud of her. I’m not shocked, only because I know what a great player and scorer she is.”

Zaffiro shied away from personal recognition, instead narrowing her focus to the ultimate team goal of repeating as Long Island Class A champions. North Shore bested Harborfields in the Long Island final last season before losing in the state championship semifinals in Glens Falls.

A starter since seventh grade, Zaffiro’s leadership has helped the Vikings to an 8-0 mark in Nassau A-III with six conference games remaining.

To think that she still has two-plus seasons left with the Vikings definitely raises the question about just how many points she’ll finish her career with.

“If things break her way and everything goes great, Gabby could certainly go down in the record books as one of Long Island’s all-time scorers,” Freund said.

And as for Cantwell — who now plays at Lafayette College — Zaffiro had nothing but praise.

“Alex was a really good player,” she said. “She worked really hard and helped me become the player I am today.”

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME