South Shore isn’t acting its age.
The defending champions have a young nucleus after losing three key seniors, but rather than rest on their laurels, the young guns are playing like seasoned vets.
“I was worried about that at the end of last season — young team coming back, won the championship, what would be the response?” said coach Anwar Gladden. “But it’s been a very pleasant surprise.”
Despite its personnel losses, South Shore is still a universe of talent — and everything revolves around a mostly sophomores core Gladden calls the “Fab Five.”
Junior guard Valena Hickerson has shown the most growth on and off the court. She averaged 7.6 points per game last season, but coaches will ask her to do much more with the graduation of guards Ashley McDonald and Amanda Cruz.
And Hickerson can’t wait to show what she can do.
“Two years I was here preparing,” she said. “I feel like I am ready.”
Plenty of girls had to grow up quick and contribute more, but senior forward Jordan Washington remains a constant. The three-year varsity player has been an unwavering force in the paint and on the glass — and her effort is unquestionable.
“She does it all,” Gladden said. “She’s a key piece.”
The coach has plenty of pieces to work with on one of the deepest squad’s he’s ever helmed.
Sophomore Destiny Philoxy is taking over as point guard ,and junior Tsahai Corbie is the team’s top outside shooter. Sophomore Diamond Shavis already picked up a scholarship from Stony Brook, and Keyanna Glover will provide added insurance in the backcourt.
Gladden has high hopes for 6-foot-2 sophomore forward Jasmine Johnson, who will aid Washington and Earlette Scott in the frontcourt. Washington is pleased with what she has seen from Johnson so far.
“I can trust her on the defensive side,” Washington said. “She’s got the long arms.”
But the field that South Shore can test itself against this year is limited, because the New York State Public High School Athletic Association is not sanctioning the Vikings’ athletic program outside of the state — a punishment for playing in the unsanctioned Dick’s High School Nationals tournament in April.
The team isn’t feeling any ill effects.
“Out-of-state tournaments accommodated us teams that could play teams in our situation,” Gladden said.
The Vikings are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead as the team looks to repeat last year’s Public School Athletic League Class AA girls’ basketball championship win.
“The team matured from the summer to now,” Hickerson said. “They are showing they are humble and they want to win.”
