Still putting the pieces together with a young roster, Long Beach girls’ basketball is slowly blossoming into a respectable contender in Nassau Class AA.
Despite starting league with a 2-4 record, head coach Blake Malizia said the girls are beginning to buy in, which has resulted in far grittier performances in recent weeks.
“I would say that experience and youth has maybe held us back at times,” Malizia said. “But the second half of the season, we’re starting to compete with the better teams. We’ve turned the next page.”
After getting their first taste of conference success in a 37-36 victory over Calhoun Jan. 8, the Marines returned four days later and hung tough in an upset bid against Bellmore JFK. Long Beach led 40-38 entering the fourth quarter, only to get outscored 26-7 in the closing minutes.
Late collapses have been an unfortunate habit Malizia chalked up to the roster’s inexperience. Even in victory against Calhoun, they were outscored 27-12 in the second half and desperately clung to a one-point lead at the buzzer. On Jan. 17, the Marines left no doubt in a 62-48 victory over Great Neck South, their second league win.
“You could just see the mentality and the mindset has now shifted to a winning mentality,” Malizia said. “It takes time sometimes, but they’re starting to get it and it’s definitely building towards the future.”
With 10 juniors and just two seniors on the roster, Long Beach still has plenty of time to figure things out. Its leading scorers, Iris Lynch and Brianna Bothell are both juniors who will continue contributing for the Marines next season.
Bothell, named a captain as a sophomore, has scored at least 10 points in eight of 11 contests.
“She has a very high IQ,” Malizia said of Bothell. “She understands it to a different level that sometimes can be challenging to others. She can do anything. She can drive, attack, plays hard defense. She can shoot three-pointers. She’s willing to take charges and she’s the first one on the ground on loose balls.”
Lynch, on the other hand, has gradually discovered a game that plays to her strengths. She has become a dominant rebounder and scored a season-high 19 points against Bellmore JFK.
Brooke Buehre, the senior captain and forward, does her part on the floor, chipping in 3.8 points per game. Her role off the floor is immense, however, as Malizia explained she and fellow senior Ava Kolb have been integral to bringing about a new culture for their younger teammates.
“I want the two seniors to be remembered as the two girls that helped reshape the program,” Malizia said. “Giving us that winning mindset where we don’t go in there hoping to win, but expecting to win. That mindset is everything.”
Malizia said junior Jordan Soriano and sophomore Sofia Milito have both been especially receptive to lessons from older teammates. As they progress, Malizia expects them to step into leadership roles left behind, propelling Long Beach forward to more promising and competitive days ahead.