Syossets quest for first state title boosted by…
Syosset ladies basketball is something however baby’s play.
The 21-3 North Shore squad is a drive to be reckoned with this season after beating Brentwood 54-46 for the varsity’s first-ever AAA Long Island title.
Syosset is heading to its first-ever New York State remaining 4 this weekend on the heels of an extremely deep staff the place three center schoolers sharpen the talents of the more seasoned athletes.
“They do what’s expected of them to the highest level, and it’s really allowed the team to shine,” head coach Mike Ferreira instructed The Post forward of dealing with Syracuse suburb Liverpool at Hudson Valley Community College upstate in Troy on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Ferreira coaches during a Syosset observe March 18. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
The Syosset ladies basketball staff practices March 18. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Building this system up from the ground degree, particularly encouraging the new recruits to thrive after they received within the sport, is one thing senior leaders resembling Kate Nelmes genuinely takes to coronary heart.
She even boasted that center schoolers on scout staff performed a key function in prepping for Brentwood.
“We’ve gone through great role models [in the past], and I think we’ve learned from them,” Nelmes mentioned, including that many staff alumni had been within the stands of the LI championship.
“We try to represent some of those qualities,” she added of making the younger teammates really feel important.
Ball within the household
Julia Schneider, a seventh-grade guard, is having the time of her life alongside older sister Samantha, an Eleventh-grade guard who scored 26 essential factors within the LI championship.
“I like playing with my sister, I feel like this just gets me better,” mentioned Julia, who this week has an important function as a scout participant imitating Liverpool’s techniques after a crash course of watching movie on the opponent they’ve by no means confronted.
Samantha, who has been a chief in mentoring not simply her sister however all the staff, can be cherishing the particular household second that’s upcoming.
Julia and Samantha Schneider are pictured during a Syosset ladies basketball observe March 18. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“Who knew even I was going to make it there? The fact that we get to go together is incredible,” she mentioned.
Revenge tour
Lots modified for Syosset after the highs and lows of 2024.
Yes, the staff gained its first-ever Nassau County title, beating juggernaut Baldwin 49-44, however got here up short to a robust Walt Whitman in a 38-29 loss for the LI championship.
“It felt like last year after we won the Nassau championship for the first time, we were just happy to be there,” Ferreira mentioned. “It was a game that we lost that I felt that we shouldn’t have.”
Samantha Schneider is pictured during a Syosset ladies basketball observe March 18. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
There was an completely totally different perspective this time as everybody “bought in” to complete the job, particularly after topping rival Plainview-Old Bethpage 62-53 for the county title.
Senior standout Nelmes is proud that exhibiting true grit, particularly after final season’s crushing finish, has been the staff’s new mantra.
“Our team knows how much work we put in every single day. We don’t take a day off,” she mentioned.
“Whether it’s film, weight room, or practice, we’re always making sure we put in the work. And to see it paid off after the many months we put in, it feels amazing.”
The months of preparation, which these winter athletes began in the summertime, introduced emotional maturity to the staff at a time when it needed it most — trailing Brentwood whereas heading into the fourth quarter.
The Syosset ladies basketball staff practices March 18. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“We had that mindset where we’ve been there before, and we know what it takes,” mentioned Nelmes, who performed a main function within the comeback.
“Even when we were down, we knew we could win.”
Now, back within the driver’s seat, no one on Syosset is simply glad to be there this time.
An enormous “Beat Liverpool” digital signal hung during a conditioning exercise within the staff’s weight room on Tuesday.
“Since February, we’ve been practicing seven days a week,” Samantha Schneider mentioned.
“We’re mentally ready and don’t fear girls bigger than us or stronger than us, and we know we can compete with them again and again. … This team really wants it.”
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