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Sports

Girls Basketball: Glenn 2011 Preview

The Knights aim for Suffolk League VI championship and playoff run.

The girls basketball team looks to reclaim the Suffolk League VI crown following  a 13-7 season and third place finish a year ago. For Glenn, 2010 ended with a 50-41 loss to Kings Park in the Suffolk Class A quarterfinals.

That's given the Knights plenty to build on moving into a new season. "[Last season] was not our best, that's for sure," said Glenn coach Andy Athanas, whose program won a state Class B championship in 2005. "We didn't win the league for the first time in six to seven years."

As senior co-captain Danielle Evers explained, "This year I think we are more all about business…less fooling around, getting more productive practices in and being more together as a team."

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Last Season: 13-7 overall, 10-4 League VI.

Coach: Andy Athanas (24th year).

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Top Players:

  •  Danielle Evers, senior, guard
  •  Allison McKenna, junior, center/forward
  • Rachel Miller, junior, forward
  • Emma Klis, sophomore, guard
  • Monica Eugene, senior, forward
  • Mackenzie Sivilli, freshman, guard (Rookie of the Year)

Position Breakdown: Knights have a dominating presence in the front court in junior co-captain Allison McKenna. The 6-foot, 1-inch All-Suffolk selection (18 points, 14 rebounds) provides a dynamic force in the paint.

"I think she is one of the best big kids in Suffolk County," Athanas said. "She has real nice outside shot, and she is very tough with her back to the basket."

It's a collaborative effort from their returning cast, though, that may guide Glenn to success. Despite graduating five seniors, the 2011 Knights still manage to keep their central core intact, returning four of five starters from last year's squad.  

Providing a balanced attack, the Knights will try and fire from all cylinders. Senior Monica Eugene (7.3 rpg) should present a strong tandem with McKenna under the boards, while co-captain Evers (6.1 ppg, 3.0 apg), sophomore Emma Klis (8.2 ppg, 4.3 apg) and freshman Mackrnzie Sivilli (3.1 apg) will look to take advantage of opportunities outside.

As McKenna pointed out, "We have everybody back," she said. "We have really good chemistry on the court, we talk a lot, we work hard on defense together and offense,  and we make sure everyone is working together."

"I have eleven kids on the team, and they can all play," Athanas said.

Expectations: With four starters back from a last season's playoff run, the Knights could emerge as one of the surprises of Suffolk. They are certainly motivated to go far.

"We are very upset about our loss last year, and how we didn't win leagues," Evers said. "So we will definitely come out strong this year to try and win the league."

Ultimately, only time will tell what awaits Glenn. For Athanas, though, the future looks bright.

 "The goal is to win the league again, he said. "I see that happening."

Key Games:

  • Dec. 17: Shoreham-Wading River @ Glenn, 4:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 30: Commack @ Glenn, 6 p.m. 
  • Jan. 6: Glenn @ Mount Sinai, 4:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 11: Amityville @ Glenn, 4 p.m.
  • Feb. 4: Mount Sinai @ Glenn, 4 p.m.
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