Breakthrough season for LWA

In his second season as head coach of Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s girls’ basketball team, former Tigers star Karim Shabazz has gotten a mix of returnees and newcomers to jell rather quickly.

LWA captured nine of its first 10 games and is in position to earn a high seed in the PSAA (Private Schools Athletic Association) postseason tournament after going 5-9 last winter and dropping a first-round playoff matchup with Solomon Schechter.

“We went through a lot of growing pains,” said Shabazz, who played 10 years professionally between Europe and the NBA D-League. “This season we’ve been a little bit tougher in close games,” he added. “The girls have a positive attitude and their confidence is growing day by day.”

The Lady Tigers, who returned only two starters, opened the season by avenging last year’s playoff defeat to Schechter with a 48-31 victory. They won their first eight, including a pair of narrow decisions over Portledge by a combined six points. “We’ve done a nice job executing late in games,” Shabazz said. “Rebounding has been a difference.”

Junior forward Arianne Philemy, a returning starter along with sophomore Jaime Alimo, is the team’s leader and often its veteran on the court, Shabazz said. Philemy, a captain, averages about eight points per game and brings all the intangibles. “Arianne is our glue,” he said. “She’s one of our hardest workers and everyone rallies around her. She’s a strong rebounder and defender.”

Alimo is a gifted shooting guard who averages a team-best 20 points per game. “It doesn’t matter where Jaime’s on the floor, she has the ability to score,” Shabazz said. “Not only can she shoot, but she’s gritty and will do whatever it takes to help the team win.” Alimo sealed the Lady Tigers’ 34-33 win over Portledge on Dec. 16 with two free throws with less than five seconds remaining. “She’s excellent from the line,” Shabazz added. “She drives and draws fouls.”

Eighth-grader Cherish Atkinson earned the starting point guard role and has a tremendous assist-to-turnover ratio, the coach noted. “She’s very strong on the defensive end and developing an offensive game,” Shabazz said. “She leads us in steals and distributes the ball well.”

While Atkinson heads the defensive pressure in the backcourt, another eighth-grader, 6-foot center Autumn Washington, is making her presence felt in the paint as a consistent rebounder and shot-blocker. “She’s young, but she’s already a force down low,” said the 7-foot-2 Shabazz, who played collegiately at Florida State and Providence. “I know what it’s like to be tall at a young age,” he added. “We’re working on her post and mid-range games.”

Freshman Ariel Dugue is a hard-nosed forward who can slash her way to the basket as well as defend. She’s averaging close to 10 points per game. “She knows how to put her stamp on a game,” Shabazz said.

Key contributors off the bench are junior Kaliya Greenidge and seniors Daphny Milord, Gabby Irizarry and Destiny John.

“Our first goal is to win a playoff game,” Shabazz said.